Emmet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Emmet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Text amendment on storage uses
The commission kicked around a possible zoning text amendment about storage uses — an early-stage fix to how storage operations are classified.
Pellston airport contaminated soil removal
The county may pay up to $562,950 to have M & M Excavating haul about 5,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil off the Pellston Regional Airport, finishing by mid-December. It's a county-funded cost tied to the taxiway reconstruction project.
City Council Election
Harbor Springs voters have chosen Melke, Cupps, and McCullough for city council. That trio will now decide budgets, local rules, and other town business, so their priorities are worth watching.
FY2027 Community Corrections Grant Application
The state grant application is due June 1, so the board scheduled a May 14 meeting to approve it. This funding supports programs like Crossroads, electronic monitoring and pretrial supervision.
Older Citizens millage renewal
Senior millage dollars keep flowing to the Friendship Centers, Wawatam Senior Center, Bay Bluffs and the Petoskey District Library under newly approved 2027 contracts.
Data Center Deferral Resolution
The county's zoning ordinance doesn't specifically regulate data centers, which can bring heavy power, water and noise impacts. A proposed resolution would pause any data center zoning decisions while the county studies how to handle them.
County building roof projects — Pellston Airport and Bay Bluffs
Bay Bluffs, the county's care facility, was seeking a new walk-in cooler and freezer through an RFP process.
M-119 corridor MDOT concerns
Multiple residents asked the board to lead on restoring the M-119 corridor and creating a stormwater management plan, citing flooding around Harbor Springs and Cross Village. Some homeowners are threatening to challenge property assessments if the road isn't fixed. The Drain Commissioner reportedly says the issue falls to MDOT.
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.
Lofts at Lumber Square brownfield closeout
New rule ties the TIF capture period to how long units must stay affordable, and requires reimbursable costs to be proportionally scaled to the share of income-qualified units.
M-119 Flood Damage and Road Closures
Recent flooding and storms have closed stretches of M-119, and Administrator Boyer warned some closures will be long term. That affects commuters, tourists and businesses along the shore corridor.
Potential housing development presentation
Jeff Smoke was scheduled to present a potential housing development, following May's contentious discussion of the Legends Bear Creek project where most public commenters opposed the affordable-housing requirements.
2026 Fair Finances and Ticket Pricing
The fair made over $5,000 in 2025 and has a $300,000-$400,000 rainy day fund, but electrical upgrades loom. Grandstand ticket prices were locked in for the rodeo, monster trucks, and auto cross.
Master Plan chapter reviews
Commissioners gave feedback on the county's new Master Plan chapters covering demographics, natural resources, and public facilities — with debates over data presentation, local feature lists, and map sizes. Drafts go public soon.
MDARD Electrical Grant and Grandstand Improvements
Upgrading the grandstand's electrical and sound system will run roughly $16,000 for installation and ten speakers — more than expected. The board is asking foundations for sponsorship money to cover it.
State Budget Redlines Fair Capital Improvements
The state budget has been redlined, meaning no capital improvement funding next year for the fair. That could leave upgrade projects on the local dime.
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.
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.
Crooked River Lock 2026 Rates and Schedule
Lock rates stay the same in 2026: $15 for a daily pass, $45 for annual. The draft 2026 operating schedule and lake-level management plan are in the packet.
Pellston Regional Airport improvement projects
A slate of projects is wrapping up or underway — painting, roofing, carpet, asbestos removal, runway crack sealing, and upcoming taxiway work funded by FAA and EGLE grants. Overnight scheduling of runway intersection painting keeps flights unaffected.
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.
Flooding impacts across county parks
Record-high water has hit Camp Petosega, the Crooked River Lock, and surrounding areas, with levels barely receding. It's affecting boat traffic, campground facilities, and possibly summer reservations.
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.
T-Barn electrical capacity shortage
The county spent about $30,000 upgrading one end of the T-Barn, but there's no capacity left for more upgrades, and exhibitors don't have enough power where they prepare steers for the auction. The board wants Parks & Rec to explain the work and plans to meet with Market Livestock about funding future needs.
Legends Bear Creek Housing Development
A proposed housing development seeking brownfield tax increment financing, with 20% income-qualified units proposed. Most residents who spoke opposed it, citing feasibility, rental rates, schools, infrastructure and neighborhood character.
Drive-thru coffee shop traffic concerns at Kegomic/US-31
Neighbors and the township board worry 300 more cars a day at the already congested US-31/M-119 and Kegomic/Zaiger intersections will make things dangerous, especially for Tannery Creek condo residents with only two exits. The county road engineer didn't think a traffic study was warranted, and the commission approved anyway 8-1.
Camp Petosega vehicle bridge condition
The bridge over the creek has been underwater for weeks and an engineer has assessed it — raising questions about whether it's safe to use and what repairs might cost.
Pending Airport RFPs
The Director was to update the committee on requests for proposals — the process of seeking contractor bids for airport work.
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.
FY26 County Veterans Service Fund grant
The board approved the 2026 CVSF grant award, which helps fund the county veterans office's services. This keeps claims assistance, emergency grants, and outreach running for local veterans.
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.
Data center concerns and transparency
Rumors about data centers spread on social media, prompting staff to clarify that no applications or NDAs exist — but residents showed up anyway to demand open process and protection of farmland, water, and small towns. One resident plans FOIA requests if anything moves forward.
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.
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.
Hackl auto sales and repair PUD amendment, Bear Creek Township
A proposed car sales, repair and oil change business at 2430 E. Mitchell Road drew strong opposition from nearby residents worried about groundwater, noise, overnight lighting, and property values — and the existing PUD actually prohibits outdoor sales. The case is postponed to May 7 while the township studies the site and the use question.
Click Road Bridge repair over the Bear River
The Click Road Bridge has deteriorating support piles, creating safety concerns and potential travel disruptions. The county was asked to chip in $42,000 to complete a funding match for the repair. This affects commuters, emergency services, farmers, and local businesses that rely on the road.
Winter 2026 Revenue Sharing Distribution
The board handed out its Winter 2026 casino revenue share — $123,069.36 after public safety and admin costs — to schools, the village, township, college, library and county services. The pot was down about $2,500 from last year, so every recipient got slightly less.
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.
Winter tax payment in lieu of taxes (PILT)
The board approved paying $609,957.27 in winter 2025 tax bills to local taxing units after a 27.36% reduction — Petoskey Public Schools gets the biggest chunk at about $399,589. This is how casino-property tax obligations reach schools, the college, townships and other millages.
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.
TSA lease at Pellston Regional Airport
The federal government leases space in the airport's main terminal for TSA screening operations. A 10-year renewal — five years firm — is on the table, and the lease includes termination triggers if commercial air service stops or the checkpoint closes.
Willcome firewood operation on Rustic Road
Neighbors packed the hearing to oppose the log yard, citing early-morning noise, log trucks on a road with a blind 90-degree corner, and property value worries. The commission approved it 4-3 with a tall privacy fence, screening, and 8–5 weekday hours, but the fight may not be over — the township signaled it would appeal an approval.
PFAS remediation grant from EGLE
The committee was scheduled to discuss a state EGLE grant tied to PFAS remediation work at the airport. PFAS contamination is a significant environmental and water-safety concern for the region.
2026 County Veterans Service Fund grant award
The board approved the 2026 CVSF grant award, which helps fund the county veterans office's services. This keeps claims assistance, emergency grants, and outreach running for local veterans.
County Administrator Hiring
Emmet County is finalizing a contract with its new county administrator—the person who runs day-to-day county operations. That means this hire will shape how local government delivers services and spends your time and tax dollars.