CHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Mich. — The Cheboygan County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 amended county rules for parks and recreation, adopted the county’s 2026 budget and tax levy and approved resolutions on state support for income-maintenance administration and a retirement option for sheriff deputies.

County Administrator Krause told supervisors the first item on the agenda was “ordinance number 11, amending chapter 24 relating to our parks and rec facilities,” which would add sites not previously covered (including the Kohler Center for Marsh Education and the mountain-bike trails at Rocky Knoll), expand covered ancillary spaces such as parking lots and trailheads, prohibit overnight parking and camping except at designated campgrounds, allow e-bikes and scooters on trails, and increase boat-launch fees. Krause said the boat-launch fees have not changed since 2011 and that fee revenue is used to maintain and improve launches.

The board voted unanimously to enact Ordinance 11 following a committee recommendation. The chair called for a roll-call vote after supervisors offered a motion and a second.

Why it matters: The ordinance updates which parks and trail facilities are covered by county code, clarifies where overnight parking and camping are prohibited, and changes fee structures the county says are needed because maintenance costs have risen since 2011.

In finance committee business, the board adopted Resolution 13 approving the 2026 budget and Resolution 14 levying and apportioning the county tax. Both measures were considered under immediate-action procedures cited in county code and were approved unanimously.

Krause also summarized Resolution 11, drafted by the Wisconsin Counties Association, asking the state to fund administrative costs that have shifted from federal to state control. Krause said two forces are at play: administrative costs shifting from federal to state, and federal changes to food-stamp eligibility. He said the shift amounts to approximately $17,900,000 in annual costs that previously were covered federally and that counties are likely to bear much of that cost without state support. He said the resolution asks the state to provide funding and to add staffing or technology so the county can keep the error rate below 6% and avoid penalties. The board adopted Resolution 11 unanimously.

The board also adopted Resolution 12 to add a 401(a) retirement option for sheriff deputies and detectives. Krause described the change as intended to give deputies and detectives more flexibility in retirement, allow tax deferral consistent with IRS guidelines, and preserve access to accrued benefits. The measure passed unanimously.

Several items were referred to committees for further review: Ordinance 12 (creating a vendor-permit process at the county airport) was referred back to the Transportation Committee; Resolution 15 (the county’s intent to join the statewide public-safety interoperable communications system) was referred to the finance committee; and Ordinance 13 (changing supervisor district boundaries to reflect annexation in several districts) was referred to the executive committee.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 journals — Motion by Supervisor Wagner; second by Supervisor Koch; approved unanimously (24 present).
- Ordinance 11 (amend chapter 24, Parks and Recreational Facilities) — Committee recommendation to enact; motion seconded; approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 12 (create Sec. 64.19, airport vendor-permit process) — Referred to Transportation Committee for further review.
- Resolution 11 (support state investment for income maintenance, per Wisconsin Counties Association draft) — Motion by Supervisor Gering; second by Supervisor Koch; approved unanimously.
- Resolution 12 (adopt 401(a) retirement plan for sheriff deputies) — Motion seconded by Supervisor Wagner; approved unanimously.
- Resolution 13 (approve 2026 budget) — Motion by Supervisor Wagner; second by Supervisor Nelson; approved unanimously.
- Resolution 14 (levy and apportion county tax) — Motion by Supervisor Cottage; second not specified on record; approved unanimously.
- Resolution 15 (intent to join statewide public-safety interoperable communications system) — Referred to finance.
- Ordinance 13 (supervisor-district boundary changes following annexation) — Referred to executive committee.

The meeting included routine claims and administrative items; a $20.25 dog-licensing claim was received for information. After remaining business concluded, the board adjourned.

Sources: Meeting transcript of the Cheboygan County Board of Supervisors, Nov. 4, 2025; statements by Administrator Krause and roll-call votes recorded by the clerk.