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Genesee County
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County Commissioner, District 5· 2025-01-01 to 2028-12-31 (per MCL 46.410 subsection 2, text read: 4-year term begins January 1 following the 2024 election; current-term start, first-office day unsourced; end December 31, 2028)

James Avery

Genesee County

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
1

Term ending Dec 31, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
7
Total speaking time
7:54
Avg per meeting
1:08
Segments
143

Want every word Avery has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Avery said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

high↑Feb 2026[43]

Election security and upcoming equipment costs

New voting equipment could become a county budget request next fiscal year; statewide need is about $100 million versus $48 million offered.

critical→May 2026[32]

Millage funding and usage priorities

Millage dollars directly affect property tax bills and funded services.

critical↓Aug 2026[31]

Opioid Settlement Funds RFP

Roughly $256,000 in settlement-funded agreements, plus ongoing staffing costs, all from opioid settlement dollars rather than the general fund.

high→Aug 2026[28]

Operation Arrowhead public safety partnership

$1,586,300 in grant funding for the Sheriff's Office.

high→Jun 2026[27]

Mental health priorities and focus areas

9-1-1 has purchased AI triage software; full costs of the 311 rollout were not quantified.

medium↑Sep 2026[23]

Crime victim services funding

$701,474 combined in state grant funding; STOP requires a 25% local match from existing budgets.

medium→May 2026[23]

Large-scale recreational facilities exploration

None yet — this was an exploratory discussion with no cost figures or commitments.

low↑Sep 2026[23]

GIS data sharing and open data pricing

The data-sharing agreement has no cost; the pricing schedule sets fees for open GIS data.

high↑Sep 2026[23]

School resource deputies in Clio Area Schools

Atlas/Goodrich and Fenton contracts are revenue-offset; the Hurley, Genesee Health System, and GISD deals total over $2.7 million across their terms.

low↑Sep 2026[23]

Metropolitan Planning Commission Public Participation Plan

Totals about $273,000, fully grant funded.

high↓Sep 2026[23]

Uncompensated hospital care payment denial

Up to $1,847,054 in annual county payments to hospitals.

medium↓Jan 2026[19]

Recognition resolutions and DEI commission process

None — it's a recognition resolution only.

medium↑Oct 2026[18]

Hiring of third-party labor counsel for alleged wrongdoing inquiry

Cost of outside labor counsel is unknown; the motion failed so no spending was authorized.

high↓Sep 2026[18]

Countywide broadband network negotiations with Pivot-Tech

No dollar figure attached yet — this vote only authorizes negotiations.

high↓Jan 2026[17]

Flock surveillance contract renewal

Roughly $90,000 combined — mostly grant money — is on hold pending the review.

medium→Aug 2026[17]

Former McDonald Dairy Site sale

Speakers cited funding risks from starting construction before all phases are funded.

high↓Feb 2026[17]

Senior services funding and task force recommendations

Funded by the voter-approved senior millage, supplemented by grants and fundraising.

medium↑Jan 2026[16]

Genesee County Legacy Trails design and engineering

$1,005,000 in grant funding, no local cost.

medium↑May 2026[16]

Accommodations tax review

None decided — any change to the accommodations tax rate or use would require further action.

high↓Jan 2026[15]

Flock Safety license plate readers

Up to $90,000 combined for camera renewals, partially grant-funded.

Decisions during term (651)

Recorded while Avery was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

deniedOct 14, 2026

Motion to hire third-party labor attorney

approvedAbstained6-0Oct 7, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026

denied3-3Oct 7, 2026

Paylocity Data Feed - $9,696 general fund request (RES-2026-0074)

approvedAbstained6-0Oct 7, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

Prosecutor's request to eliminate one secretary position and create a Paralegal position

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

Receive and file paid county bills ($7,909,437.19)

approved5-1Oct 7, 2026

Budget amendment to 2026-2027 Appropriations Resolution

approved5-1Oct 7, 2026

Additional $35,000 for Canteen Services food service and inmate invoices

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

Purchase order to Bob Barker for inmate bedding and clothing ($33,000)

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

10% salary increase for Deputy Chief Financial Officer

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

Motion to add ARPA contract extension to the agenda

approved6-0Oct 7, 2026

ARPA contract extension — Otisville Wastewater Treatment Plant Project

approvedAbstained6-0Oct 7, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026 (RES-2026-1484)

tabled6-0Oct 7, 2026

OLHSA Head Start Fiscal and Personnel Agreement 2026-2027 (RES-2026-1412)

deniedVoted no2-4-1Sep 30, 2026

RES-2026-1011 — Annual payments to area hospitals for uncompensated care (up to $1,847,054.00)

approvedVoted yes7-0Sep 30, 2026

RES-2026-1459 — Closed session on privileged written legal opinion

approved8-0Sep 30, 2026

RES-2026-1472 — Add RES-2026-1476 to the agenda

approved8-0Sep 30, 2026

RES-2026-1476 — Lurvey Construction contract amendment, New State Park ($615,990.52)

approved9-0Sep 23, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes (Aug 19, Aug 26, Aug 31, 2026)

Voting record (325)

298 yes11 no16 abstained

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

RES-2026-1483 Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and Mt. Morris Township to allow for a contract extension and fund transfer for CDBG eligible activities

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

RES-2026-1399 Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and ESRI, in an amount not to exceed $41,524.00, to provide for annual software maintenance; the cost of this agreement will be paid from

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

RES-2026-1312 Approval of a purchase order to MLive Media Group (Advanced Local Holdings) for the fiscal year ending 2026, in an amount not to exceed $7932.15, to provide for statutorily required adve

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

RES-2026-0074 Approval of Paylocity Data Feed.

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

RES-2026-1457 Approval to recognize the month of November 2026 as Family Court Awareness Month in Genesee County

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

RES-2026-1453 Approval of a request by Genesee County's Public Defender's Office to accept a grant award from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, in the amount of $8,921,878.05, to support the o

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and OLHSA, in an amount not to exceed $12,434,519.00, to provide for the 2026-2027 Fiscal and Personnel Agreement for Genesee County's Head Start Progra

AbstainedOct 7, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2026

Voted noSep 30, 2026

RES-2026-1011 — Annual payments to area hospitals for uncompensated care (up to $1,847,054.00)

Voted yesSep 30, 2026

RES-2026-1459 — Closed session on privileged written legal opinion

Voted yesSep 30, 2026

Approval to enter into Closed Session to discuss material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state statute: a written legal opinion

Voted yesSep 30, 2026

Approval to add RES-2026-1476 to the agenda

Voted noSep 30, 2026

Approval of Genesee County's annual payments, in an amount not to exceed $1,847,054.00, to area hospitals for uncompensated care

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

B.11. Land Bank purchase order — $600,000 (RES-2026-1247)

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

B.13. Pivot-Tech broadband negotiations (RES-2026-1345)

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

E.3. Hospital uncompensated care — $1,847,054 (RES-2026-1011)

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

F.48. Janitorial services contract — $819,000, as amended (RES-2026-1395)

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

IX.2. Hindu Heritage Month resolution (RES-2026-1290)

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and the Flint Jewish Federation, in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00, to provide for kosher meals; the term of this agreement is October 1, 2026 throu

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Uline for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed $31,500.00, for materials necessary to distribute meals through Genesee County's Nutrition Services an

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and the 7th Circuit Court, in an amount not to exceed $148,717.00, to provide staffing to the specialty courts; the cost of this request will be paid fr

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Forwarding to receive and file a copy of the paid county bills for the weeks ending 07.19.2026 through 8.16.2026 in the total amount of $26,404,320.19

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a request to fund 50% of an IT position from General Fund due to a rejection of grant funding; the remaining amount is funded through the District Court budget-THIS REQUEST IS A GENERAL FU

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of purchase orders to various vendors for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed $155,000.00, to provide for medical supply purchases; the cost of this purchase order will be

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of Self-Insured Auto Trust Agreement and MOU with the State of Michigan

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a resolution to recognize September 15 - October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Genesee County (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Commission)

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and Nationwide to provide for Genesee County's 457(b) and 401(a) plans

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a request by Genesee County's Drain Commissioner to borrow $1,753,000.00 for 3-years for Drain expenses

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Bound Tree Medical for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00, to provide for specialized medical supplies at Genesee County's Medical Examin

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of Opioid Settlement Funding in FY2027 to provide staffing in the Department of Community Engagement & Justice Services for the Deputy Director position; this is a continuation of previously

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of Meeting Minutes - August 12, 2026

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Forwarding to receive and file a copy of the 3rd quarter FY25/26 Investment Report for period ending June 30, 2026

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to US Foods, in an amount not to exceed $205,500.00, for food and supplies to be utilized by GCCARD's Nutrition Services and Head Start programs for the period commencing

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a grant award from Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, in the amount of $125,000.00, to provide for the renovation of the parking lot at Stepping Stone Falls Park; the budget for this g

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, in an amount not to exceed $92,501.51, to provide for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment; the cost of th

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Bound Tree Medical for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount of $197,000.00, to provide for the purchase of medical supplies; the cost of this purchase order will b

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Genesee Packaging, Inc. for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed, $35,000.00, to provide for food distribution materials; the cost of this purchase o

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Oliver Packaging for the fiscal year ending, in an amount not to exceed $97,000.00, to purchase food packaging supplies; the cost of this purchase order will be paid fr

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order various vendors, in an amount not to exceed $483,000.00, to provide for drug and pharmaceutical purchases; the cost of this purchase order will be paid from the accounts l

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a request to increase a purchase order to Sonitrol Great Lakes for the fiscal year ending 2026, in an amount not to exceed $1,920.98, for a revised total of $19,620.98, to provide for faci

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Staples for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed $327,112.25, to provide for the annual purchase of office supplies; the cost of this purchase order

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Ecker Mechanical Contractors, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $820.00, to provide for an electrical inspection; the cost of this purchase order will be paid from the ac

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of continuing Opioid Settlement Funding in FY2027 for the Grant Coordinator position as approved by the Board of Commissioner in RESO 2026-1277

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Gordon Food Service for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,306,674.17, to provide for food service products and supplies to be utilized by Genes

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Abbott Laboratories for the fiscal year ending 2027, in an amount not to exceed $82,000.00, to provide for the purchase of Ensure nutritional shakes and ancillary suppl

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a request to hire Hiring Solutions to begin a search for a new Chief Financial Officer

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a purchase order to Home Depot, in an amount not to exceed $243,000.00, for various departments for the Fiscal Year 26/27

Voted yesSep 16, 2026

Approval of a proposed budget amendment to 2025-2026 Appropriations Resolution for various line items as described in the attached budget adjustment request

In the news (1)