Public commenters raise Maples construction concerns; county notes additional opioid funding award

During public comment at the Benzie County Board of Commissioners meeting on July 9, Dr. Don Schafer, speaking as a Maples board member, said the nearly new addition to the Maples Medical Care Facility requires replacement of all window trim and estimated repair costs could reach $160,000. He called for better oversight and capital planning.

Annie Browning of the Village of Beulah urged collective involvement in county planning and emphasized Crystal Lake as a community resource. Probate Judge John D. Mead spoke regarding the kinship coalition. Public comment concluded at 12:41 p.m.

Separately, County Administrator Katie Zeits told the board the county had received an additional $200,000 in opioid funding and said the board would need to discuss how to proceed with the award at a future meeting.

What was said (selected): "I am pleased to hear you are talking about planning. It is important to have collective involvement also," said Annie Browning of the Village of Beulah.

"We were horrified that the building, which is essentially brand new, has to have all the window trim replaced," said Dr. Don Schafer, a Maples board member, who outlined the need for capital reserves to address such issues and cited an estimated repair cost up to $160,000.

Next steps: The matters raised in public comment were recorded; no formal board action was taken at this meeting on the Maples repairs. The county will discuss allocation of the newly awarded opioid funds at a future meeting, per the County Administrator.