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.
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.
Materials Management Plan public hearing
The board is expected to schedule a public hearing on the county's Materials Management Plan, which governs how solid waste and recycling are handled countywide.
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.
U-Haul commercial storage deferral relief
U-Haul International is asking the county for relief from a commercial storage tax deferral previously granted by resolution. How the board rules could affect county tax revenue from the commercial storage facilities.
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.
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.
Sale of county parcel 06-12-14-100-002
The county is set to sell a small vacant parcel to a Florida couple for $544, contingent on combining it with land they already own next door.
DTE proposed pipeline communication
The board will receive a communication about DTE's proposed pipeline, an issue with potential implications for local landowners and energy infrastructure in the county.
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.
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.
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.
Lake Shore Drive reconstruction
The Road Commission is engineering a lower Lake Shore Drive reconstruction, and that stretch will be closed for the winter — plan your routes accordingly.