Emmet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Emmet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Indigent defense funding and staffing
Consent items include Local Emergency Management Program funding, drug court and sobriety court grants, and a court services agreement — routine items that keep county programs funded.
Underutilized Adult Crossroads Program
The Adult Crossroads cognitive program has had no completions or new enrollments in the first quarter, and staff plan to open enrollment with an orientation hour to boost interest and bring it up to its projected three enrollments.
Jail inmate phone and video rates under new FCC rules
The Sheriff's Office is adding an AI system that transcribes and searches inmates' phone and video calls for investigators. It should speed up jail investigations but slightly reduces county revenue.
Countywide AED Deployment
Emmet County EMS is buying 50 defibrillators for $82,650 to place around the county — faster help when someone's heart stops before the ambulance arrives.
2027 EMS Ambulance Purchase
County EMS was slated to get Board action on buying a 2027 ambulance, part of keeping emergency response equipment current.
Community Recovery Alliance Presentation
The Community Recovery Alliance was scheduled to present on its new permanent Petoskey recovery center opening in October 2026, offering peer coaching, support meetings and a Recovery Friendly Workplace program.
Sheriff's Office Patrol Rifle Funding
The Sheriff's Office received a $30,000 private donation from The Kent Foundation to buy patrol rifles as part of an equipment upgrade project.
Federal Operation Stonegarden Grant
Emmet County was set to accept a $68,250 federal grant supporting law enforcement coordination and capabilities through July 2028.
Medical Examiner transition
Dr. Carl Hawkins retired after 28 years as Medical Examiner. Dr. Paul Wagner of Mid Michigan Medical Examiner Group takes over August 1, with Hawkins staying on as Deputy to keep things running smoothly.
Hazard Mitigation Plan awaiting FEMA
The county's Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved locally and is now waiting on FEMA. FEMA approval keeps the county eligible for hazard mitigation grant funding.
Indigent Legal Representation Contract Amendment
The county updated its contract for the attorney who represents people who can't afford counsel in court — a core fairness issue in the local justice system.
Active hazardous-materials site plan reviews
The committee reviews emergency response plans for facilities in the county that store hazardous materials. Home Depot and CCC plans are current, keeping first responders prepared for a chemical incident at those sites.
County Emergency Operations Plan Updates
The county's Emergency Operations Plan is being updated, with new signature pages in development. The EOP spells out who does what during a disaster.
Operation Northern Exposure mass-casualty exercise
A major three-day exercise June 6–8 will simulate a Michigan National Guard C-130 aircraft crash, testing fire rescue, mass-casualty response and coordination among MABAS, HDNW, EGLE and EPA. It's the county's biggest readiness test of the year.
Seasonal staffing vacancies
The parks department has filled 18 of 21 seasonal positions at $17.34/hour, with most staff starting mid-May. A few openings remain if you're looking for summer work.
Jail video surveillance upgrade grant
The sheriff's office sought acceptance of up to $50,000 in matching grant money toward its roughly $430,000 jail camera upgrade. The grant expires November 30, 2026.
St. Ignace Mutual Aid Agreement
The Sheriff's Office is being asked to sign a mutual aid pact with the St. Ignace Police Department so each can back the other up during emergencies or big events. Aid is voluntary on the responding agency's side — no one can be forced to send officers.
District Sanitary Code Enforcement Amendment
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan wants the four counties it serves to update the enforcement section of the district sanitary code to cite state law directly. Without the update, the Antrim County Prosecutor may decline to take failing-septic cases, meaning some landowners could keep refusing to fix failing systems.
Fairgrounds emergency and security planning
Camera towers, a first aid tent with AED, an incident command trailer and an EMS golf cart will be at the fair, and volunteers will get a briefing on the emergency plan before fair week.
Family Attendance at Community Impact Events
Board members debated whether probationers can bring family members to community service events like trail cleanups. The working answer: ask your probation agent first, case by case. Starting soon, community service participants in the 57th ECRP program will be required to attend these events.
Runway Friction Meter Purchase (RFP EC-03-2026 #13)
The airport wants a new continuous friction meter to measure runway and taxiway slipperiness during winter operations — a safety tool for snowy Pellston winters. Three bids came in, and staff recommend Halliday Technologies at about $67,600, saving roughly $27,000–$49,000 over the alternatives.
Sheriff Road Patrol Deputy Labor Agreement
A three-year contract with FOP road patrol deputies was up for approval, with 5%, 4% and 4% wage increases, retention pay and a 4% retirement match. It affects county payroll costs and sheriff's office staffing.
March snowstorm EOC response
The committee reviewed the Emergency Operations Center's limited operations during the March snowstorm. Lessons from that activation inform how the county handles future severe weather.
DAV drivers for Cheboygan County
New business about providing DAV drivers for Cheboygan County — a rides-to-medical-appointments service for veterans. Volunteer driver shortages are a common barrier for rural veterans getting to VA appointments.
Sheriff's deputy recruitment incentives
The Sheriff's Office was slated to accept a $20,000 state grant to send a corrections officer to the police academy and a $1,500 grant for dive equipment — a lower-cost way to build up local law enforcement staffing.
EMS Ambulance Equipment Upgrade
A new power load cot fastener system for an ambulance, about $30,800 after trade-in, reduces lifting injuries for EMS crews and improves patient safety.
SIM Mapping Priority Areas for Justice System Reform
A recent workshop with 32 participants identified four priorities: better mental-health screening before arraignment, law enforcement diversion options, a housing task force, and substance-use testing funding. These will shape how the county steers people away from jail and toward treatment.
Save a Life Day Naloxone Distribution
On September 24, a community walk will hand out free naloxone and offer overdose education, with help from Harbor Hall, Michigan State Police and other agencies.
Sheriff's Office Taser program grant
The Sheriff's Office completed its Taser upgrade program in 2025 and won a grant that reimburses half the cost, up to $50,000. The board was asked to accept the award — offsetting public safety spending already approved.
Public safety distribution of casino revenue
14.5% of February's casino revenue — $66,596.50 — goes to local fire and law enforcement: Resort-Bear Creek Fire, a SANE deputy, a Sheriff gaming deputy, and Petoskey police services. This is the money that keeps those services funded.
Mechanical inspector staffing shortage
The county still hasn't filled its open mechanical inspector position. Two applicants lacked the required state mechanical licensing, and other jurisdictions across Michigan report the same problem — which can slow inspections for builders and homeowners.
National Weather Service outage impacts flights
A National Weather Service outage affected five flights at the airport, a reminder of how dependent regional air service is on federal weather infrastructure.
District Sanitary Code enforcement update
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan proposed updating the sanitary code's enforcement section to directly cite state law (MCL 333.2443), a fix the Antrim County Prosecutor says is needed before failing-septic cases can be prosecuted. Without it, serious violations may go unprosecuted.
Sheriff's Office Fleet Replacement
The Sheriff's Office was slated to replace five high-mileage vehicles — four Dodge Durangos and a Chevy Tahoe — with upfitting, for a total of about $377,549 from the 2026 Capital Fund.
Jaws of Life Grant Funding for Local Fire Departments
The county hands out up to $4,500 a year to fire departments that use extrication equipment at crash scenes, plus $5,500 to Search and Rescue. Departments have to document how they spend the money. Mackinaw City missed out this year because it didn't spend its 2025 grant.
Veterans office workload and 2025 year in review
The office handled 507 veteran appointments in 2025, including 132 disability and pension claims and 93 appeals, plus 52 new VA healthcare enrollments. Fourth-quarter activity slowed somewhat from the busy summer quarter.
FY2026 Community Corrections Program Performance
Emmet County's state-funded programs — pretrial supervision, risk assessment, and treatment — supervise people charged with crimes instead of jailing them while they await court. The first-quarter report shows pretrial supervision is busy with 25 enrollments and a 93.1% appearance/safety rate, and spending is tracking under budget. How well these programs work affects jail bed use and county costs.