Chippewa County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 19 voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2024-33, which asks Michigan lawmakers and state officials to pursue earmarked funding to address ferry service schedules affecting island residents.

The decision followed an extended public-comment period during which multiple island residents told the board that recent cuts or changes to the ferry schedule have harmed health, safety and economic life on the island. "When we've had meetings ... we've completely filled the floor with people, well, way over a 100 people," said Phyllis Reed, who identified herself in the meeting as "president of the NEPA Challenge Improvement Station," urging the board to consider the long-term effects on property values, health and safety. "When you cut back a ferry schedule, you are cutting back the opportunity of an island to live for our grandchildren to come," she said.

Matt Keller, who identified himself as president of the Niobish Pioneer Association, told commissioners that seasonally based and downstate property owners rely on later ferry runs and said he and other associations would support lobbying for operational funding. "These Zoom meetings are great ... we often drive all day to get up to Neibish," Keller said, urging passage of the resolution and pledging volunteer support to work with legislators.

Another participant raised concerns about an agreement between the island authority and the power company that, the commenter said, limits crews' ability to address power failures promptly. "I don't believe that it's okay to stop the power company from fixing a power failure," said the Zoom commenter, who described risks to residents who rely on electric medical devices.

Commissioners discussed minor wording suggested by one member and expressed support for taking the issue to the next step. The chair directed that, following passage, the board forward the resolution to state representatives in Lansing. The roll-call vote recorded unanimous "yes" from Commissioners Nepper, Lorenz, Savoy, Treanor and Chairman Martin; the resolution passed 5-0.

The board did not set a specific funding amount in the resolution; the motion sends the county's position to state lawmakers for further action.