Presque Isle County commissioners elect leadership, adopt rules and financial policies at organizational meeting

Commissioner Cliff Tullini was elected chair of the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners and Commissioner Joe Libby was elected vice chair during the county's organizational meeting, where the board also adopted rules of order, designated official banking depositories, set meeting dates for 2025 and approved several administrative policies and committee appointments.

The organizational meeting establishes how the board will operate for the year and covers administrative decisions. The actions taken Wednesday included adoption of the board's rules of order as amended (dated 2015), designation of seven financial depositories for county funds, a spending limit policy for departmental purchases, a continuation of a policy requiring prior board approval for out-of-state travel funding, adoption of a template for legal invitations to bid, and ratification of special committee appointments.

Most votes were taken by roll call or unanimous voice vote. The clerk was instructed to cast a unanimous ballot for chair, and the board followed with routine roll-call approvals of resolutions and appointments.

Public commenters raised two items during the public-comment period before organizational business. Rachel Goldstein, who identified herself as a local resident, asked that prayers offered at meetings be inclusive of faith traditions; she said, "I am Jewish," and urged the board to consider prayers reflective of multiple traditions. Don Gilnet, who said he works as a building official under contract, told commissioners he can assist if constituents raise concerns about inspections or permit processes: "If you do get those calls, reach out to me and I'll be happy to look into it," he said.

On governance: the board moved to adopt the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners rules of order as amended (the version circulated from 2015). The board approved the rules by roll call.

On finance and administration: the county adopted a resolution designating official county depositories. The list read into the record included Huron State Bank (Rogers City), Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, Awaken Federal Credit Union, Nicolette National Bank (formerly Bank of Alpena), First Federal Northern Michigan, Multibank Securities (MBS), and Choice 1 Bank, with Huntington Bank noted as a replacement on the list discussed during the meeting. The treasurer and the finance committee were authorized to enter into safekeeping and custodial contracts for county securities under terms the treasurer requires.

The board set its regular 2025 meeting schedule as the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the commission chambers and a second monthly meeting on the final Friday at 9:30 a.m.

Spending and travel policies: the board affirmed a prior-year spending-limit policy that requires authorization through the finance committee or full board for purchases over $1,500 per line item. Food and medical supplies for the county jail are an exception. The policy also allows emergency maintenance, repair or replacement expenditures up to $8,000 authorized by two of three officers (the chair, the vice chair and the finance chair). Separately, the board reaffirmed a policy that no out-of-state conferences, conventions or meetings will be funded during the year except by prior approval of the board.

Procurement form: the board adopted, as a legal form, a proposed invitation-to-bid template circulated by the prior board. The template includes language that plans and specifications may be examined at the county clerk's office and that a certified check equal to 10% of the total bid may be required as a bid guarantee.

Appointments and committees: commissioners approved a slate of 2025 special appointments and committee assignments, including representatives to regional and county advisory boards, the road commission liaison role, and other standing committees. The board ratified selections for chief administrative and finance officer roles and approved payroll and per diem payment authorization for the meeting.

The board recorded its approvals by roll call for the resolutions and committee ratifications; no contested or substantive policy debates occurred on the items voted. Several commissioners noted they were open to adjusting committee assignments if needed during the year.

The meeting closed after routine ministerial business and scheduling; the board scheduled further discussion items and public hearings to be placed on regular meeting agendas as needed.