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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.