Emmet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Emmet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.