Delta County board posts Title 3 projects for comment, signs letters of support for transit, broadband and local fire equipment; approves dispatch hire and pays

Delta County commissioners on March 4 approved a package of actions including a 45‑day public posting of proposed Title 3 projects, multiple letters of support for local grant applications, the immediate filling of a dispatcher vacancy and payment of county bills totaling $396,817.98.

Title 3 projects and public comment Administrator Ashley Young presented proposed Title 3 projects (funds tied to the federal Secure Rural Schools/Title III allocation) submitted by several townships. The list included requests for fire and emergency equipment: Ensign Township (self‑contained breathing apparatus and bottles, $9,194.75), Garden Township (brush truck, $36,533.33), Masonville Township (PPE and wildland fire equipment, $44,530) and Negaunee? (listed as NEMA Township in packet) requesting a water tender and equipment ($88,143.91). The board approved posting the list for a 45‑day public comment period and separately approved – if no comments are received – to accept the list as presented after the posting period.

Letters of support, regional transit and broadband The board approved letters of support for several local grant applications: Ford River Township’s fire truck application, the City of Escanaba’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for sidewalks and non‑motorized paths, a letter ratifying Escanaba’s underground electric circuit work (covered in the airport article) and support for QPAD’s MDOT transit service initiative to study shared public transportation across Menominee, Delta and Schoolcraft counties. Commissioners also ratified a support letter for Highline Broadband’s application to Michigan’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program to expand fiber service to about 877 additional homes and businesses in Delta County.

Dispatch hiring and workforce The board approved posting to fill a dispatcher vacancy and to hire as soon as a qualified candidate is available. Personnel testified that filling the position now would avoid substantial overtime costs during training and that the training pipeline requires about 14 weeks for a new dispatcher. Personnel and commissioners said the earlier start will reduce overtime expense and help maintain dispatch coverage.

Fiscal action and FOIA appeal scheduling Commissioners approved payment of county bills in the amount of $396,817.98 and noted commissioner expense line item of $10.33. The board also received a FOIA fee appeal (FOIA appeal 25.18) and voted to formally receive the appeal, which begins the statutory 10‑day clock for board consideration; staff planned to place the item on the additional meeting schedule so the board can act within the statutory timeframe.

Why it matters: The Title 3 and other grant support actions direct federal and state resources to fire protection, broadband, active‑transportation infrastructure and regional transit planning. Approving a dispatcher hire and paying county bills reflect immediate operational governance.

Votes at a glance - Title 3 projects: motion to post for 45 days — approved; motion that if no public comment is received the board will accept the list as presented — approved. - Ford River Township fire truck letter of support — approved. - QPAD/MDOT transit service initiative letter of support — approved. - City of Escanaba TAP (sidewalks/non‑motorized) letter of support — approved. - Highline Broadband BEAD application letter of support (approx. 877 addresses) — approved. - Dispatch vacancy: motion to post and fill dispatcher position — approved; commissioners noted projected training time (~14 weeks) and estimated cost savings if hire is made promptly. - Bills payment: motion to pay claims — approved by roll call; total $396,817.98.

Ending Administrators will post the Title 3 notice for 45 days and return with either the unchanged project list (if no comments) or with a modified list if comments are received. Staff will also schedule the FOIA appeal for the board's additional meeting so the board may act within the statutory 10‑day window.