Peanut County’s Finance Ways and Means Committee voted 4–2 to hire Nick Myszynski as the county’s full‑time emergency manager and set his start date for Nov. 3. County Administrator Jesse Osborne told the committee the full amount for the position is included in the 2026 budget and that he had made roughly $10,000 in current‑year budget adjustments related to the hire.

The vote followed several months of discussion about whether to share an emergency manager with neighboring counties. County Administrator Jesse Osborne said Presque Isle County initially selected Myszynski as a joint candidate but later “decided to back out,” and he said that change could affect any multi‑county arrangement the county had been exploring. Osborne told commissioners that if the county wants to proceed alone, the funds and the start timeline are in place.

Commissioners debated whether a full‑time county employee was the right step. Commissioner LaHaye voted no and Commissioner Kozlowski also recorded a no vote; Commissioners Britton, Ludlow, Bridal and Fournier voted yes. The motion to hire was made in the meeting by Commissioner Bridal (referred to in the meeting as Brenda) and supported by Commissioner Ludlow. The roll call on the final motion was: Commissioner Britton — yes; Commissioner LaHaye — no; Commissioner Ludlow — yes; Commissioner Bridal — yes; Commissioner Fournier — yes; Commissioner Kozlowski — no. The motion carried.

During discussion commissioners referenced different models used in neighboring counties, including multi‑county or combined positions and single counties that assign emergency management duties to staff who have other roles. Commissioners noted a range of county practices — some counties have a fully dedicated emergency manager, others have a full‑time employee who splits duties, and some use shared or part‑time arrangements.

Myszynski spoke during the public comment period after the vote and thanked commissioners for their support, saying, “we'll make the program shine, and you won't regret it.” The hiring motion as recorded authorizes the county to proceed with a full‑time hire effective Nov. 3 and uses funds already budgeted for 2026.

The board also approved a separate budget transfer of $10,000 into the emergency management director’s 2025 budget to cover immediate startup needs; the funds were moved from two commissioners’ lines, which the meeting record says had no planned meetings or registrations for the remainder of the year.

No ordinance, statute, or external approval was cited as a condition for the hire in the meeting minutes; the action was an internal personnel decision by the county. The board recessed into closed session later in the agenda for other personnel matters.

Charges, start date and budget authority were presented as administrative actions by County Administrator Jesse Osborne; the committee did not attach additional conditions beyond the stated start date and the existing budget allocation.