Emmet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Emmet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Airport Winter Operations and De-icing
The agenda included discussion of loader equipment after a snowstorm and runway/aircraft de-icing — the nuts and bolts of keeping the airport safe and open in winter.
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.
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.
Recycling education and outreach
The county was set to tap a state-funded Michigan Recycling Coalition program offering training, materials and limited funding to boost local recycling and cut contamination.
Local school building inspection authority
The county keeps its right to inspect and permit school construction projects locally instead of routing them through the state in Lansing — faster for the schools.
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.
Conflict of interest and secondary employment policy
A new ethics policy governing outside jobs and conflicts of interest was up for consideration.
2027 EMS Ambulance Purchase
County EMS was slated to get Board action on buying a 2027 ambulance, part of keeping emergency response equipment current.
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.
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.
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.
Federal Operation Stonegarden Grant
Emmet County was set to accept a $68,250 federal grant supporting law enforcement coordination and capabilities through July 2028.
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.
Probate Court Child Care Budget
The Probate Court's 2091 child care budget was up for board action, funding care for children under court jurisdiction.
2025 County Audit Results
The February finance report showed the county stable, with revenues of $1.19 million and expenditures outpacing them as is normal before summer property tax collections.
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.
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.
Zoning Board of Appeals Operations
Holly Willcome says the ZBA is acting outside its authority, and Commissioner Laughbaum wants more board oversight and worries about a lawsuit. A late appeal in her case was denied by a vote that failed, and the hearing was pushed to August 18.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pellston Regional Airport Taxiway Reconstruction
The county hired Mead and Hunt to oversee construction administration for the airport's taxiway rebuild. The airport is a regional economic asset, and this keeps the project moving with professional oversight.
Grandstand Beverage Vendor vs. Beer Tent Sales
Joe Malec's pop, Gatorade, and water sales in the grandstands are cutting into beer tent revenue, though he donates about 5% of his sales back to the fair afterward.
Camping Contracts and Permit Renewal
Camping contracts went out and are due August 1, with a growing waitlist. The county is reapplying for the camping permit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Return of United Airlines Service at Pellston
The Director's report was set to cover details and stats on United flights returning to Pellston Regional Airport. More flights could mean more travel options and economic activity for the area.