Emmet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Emmet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
CDBG Chill grant close-out
The county is wrapping up a 2023 state Community Development Block Grant, with a public hearing before the formal close-out. This closes the books on grant-funded work in the community.
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.
Petoskey Curling Club at the Fairgrounds
The curling club wrapped a successful second season at the Fairgrounds — 292 participants, growing membership — and wants to return earlier next year while searching for a permanent home with refrigerated ice.
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.
VIP Parking Shuttle Service
Salvation Army will bus VIP parkers between Filmore's Restaurant and the fair from 3 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m., following the Johnson Bus route.
Village of Pellston water system
County Administrator Dave Boyer reported the village's water system project is moving forward, following the bi-monthly update meeting.
Junior Fair Board creation
The board wants to launch a junior fair board to get younger kids involved in meetings and pre-fair work, working with Emmet County 4-H's Amanda Furgeson.
Coffee with Inspectors attendance declining
The April event drew fewer attendees than past years. Members think the later date may be the culprit and plan to move it earlier — likely February or March — next year.
County fair liquor license
The board was scheduled to sponsor a special liquor license so alcohol can be sold at the fair August 25-29, 2026.
2026 Year-to-date Permits and Inspections Report
Trade permits are up compared to last year except electrical, where the surge of post-ice-storm repair permits in 2025 makes this year look like a 3% dip. Contractors following local permit trends will want to keep an eye on the electrical numbers normalizing.
Ticket sales pace
Only about 31% of concert tickets and 455 rodeo tickets have sold, with the board watching numbers after a promotional push.
Data centers and exclusionary zoning
An attorney representing a township fighting a massive data center warned local officials they can still zone data centers out — contrary to common claims — under MZEA Section 125.3207's demonstrated-need exception, and shared his published paper.
History Essay Contest 2026/2027
The commission took up its essay contest at the February meeting. Details of the contest's topic and timeline were not included in the materials provided.
Pending Michigan retirement legislation
Bills in Lansing could restrict what public retirement boards can invest in, require meetings to be live-streamed, and change rules for rehired retirees. Nothing is expected to move until the end of the year.
Committee meeting day change and board vacancies
The committee may switch its regular meetings from Wednesdays to Tuesdays to avoid being bumped by the blood drive, and three alternate seats (builder, electrical, plumbing) need reappointment applications filed with the County Clerk.
Dog grooming home business on M-68
Alexis Holmes' plan to groom dogs from a small barn-style building on her half-acre lot drew no public opposition and unanimous approval.
Pathway mowing services contract
The county planned to hire Northern Lawn Service, the low bidder at $1,360 per mow (up to $21,000 a year), to mow about 13.7 miles of trail edges including the Little Traverse Wheelway and North Western State Trail for three seasons.
Planning Commission Compensation
Commissioner Laughbaum added a last-minute discussion item about whether Planning Commission members should be paid for their service. What the board decides could change who's willing to serve.
Pellston Airport Interior Painting Project
The airport terminal and general aviation building were slated for a repaint, with one qualifying bid of $46,207 from Maniaci/Watt LLC plus a $4,500 contingency.
Master Gardeners' fairgrounds stewardship
Volunteer Master Gardeners gave 251 hours to the fairgrounds in 2025 — worth about $8,700 — and propose a Monarch Way Station and chemical-free weed control in 2026.
Keep it Real social media contract
The board approved spending $19,600 for the year on the Keep it Real social media contract.
Fallen heroes honored for late 2025
The board held a moment of silence for 20 Emmet County fallen heroes recognized across October, November, and December.
Pellston Schools trap range
A student shooting sports team that currently drives far for practice got administrative approval for a trap range on school-owned land, keeping local kids off long trips and off buses that can't carry firearms.
Headlands Green Roof Condition
A concerned citizen wants to know what's happening with the Headlands green roof since the Green Roof Report. The parks director says it's green and thriving June through September, with staff pulling saplings and removing sweet clover monthly — and a fuller update coming in late spring.