Branch County — Two veteran Branch County Sheriff’s Deputies are soon retiring for new jobs after more than 25 years each.
Sergeant Frank Baker will become Bronson’s Deputy Police Chief on February 1st.
Road Patrol Lieutenant Steve McManamy retired on November 23 after serving 28 years to become a Coldwater Law Enforcement Officer.
Both men said the move made sense, financially. Both cited the high cost of county health insurance as a motivation.
Barker was promoted to Sergeant in December 2020. At Bronson, he retires as Deputy Chief Brad McConn and enters the private sector.
Barker said his move was “a career opportunity, an opportunity to move forward. It’s just another way to take the next step.”
Both men plan to get retirement benefits and wages from their new jobs.
Sheriff John Pollack has two holes to fill after finally fully completing manning fixes and road patrols.
“There is a prison officer who wants you to come,” to the road patrol. “I have to see. I don’t really have time to go and see how it changes,” he said.
Finding certified police officers in all Michigan departments is a statewide problem, but the sheriff hopes a new 18-week training program starting at Kellogg Community College will help fill the vacancy.
McManamy is president of the POAM union, which represents road patrol agents and corrections officers. He has served the last 10 years and earlier terms. Even with his 7.6% wage increase for all county employees in 2022, he and other union members would have less money to take home.
“The rise in health care costs in the county is astronomical. I don’t know if it will go up again this year. But each time it goes up, it’s cutting people’s wages,” McMamay said.
previous storySheriff can’t afford to raise health insurance
In Branch County, we saw a large number of employees taking advantage of health insurance during COVID-19. That in turn pushed up interest rates. The county still has to reveal costs for 2023, with open registrations pending this month.
McManamey said family rates for the county’s lowest-cost program were more than $6,000 a year from Blue Cross. His new plans for the City of Coldwater premium his plans are much less.
Coldwater faced a similar increase last year and joined the state insurance pool to cut costs in larger groups.
As union president, McManamy worries about the people he leaves behind. “Some people have no idea how they survive. New people are at the bottom of the pay scale. The cost of insurance for families is astronomical.”
Baker agreed. “Insurance is an issue. I’m pretty sure it’s cheaper in Bronson.” Leaving “isn’t personal. I like both places,” he said.
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McManamy said all county unions are currently negotiating and inflation and health insurance are key issues. Over the past year, other county employees have left to improve pay and benefits.
“It’s sad that there are good people working there who have been there for a long time,” McManamy said. “And they can’t afford it.”
The deputy treasurer complained to the commissioner in August. She was a single mother and could not afford county health insurance with her salary. She resigned this week.
For decades, the county’s employment benefits have hired and retained high-performing employees. “That’s not the case anymore,” McManamy said.
McManamy said it was time for someone else to take over as union president. He has been a thorn in the side of the board and administrator Bud Norman, who will first negotiate with other unions before returning to the table with his POAM on Nov. 30.
Someone else will represent the delegates and corrections officers. McManamy said he has to do what’s best for his family. With over 28 years of work experience, he has the opportunity.
— Please contact Don Reid at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DReidTDR.
