Finance committee backs veterans and infrastructure grants, $2.7M USDA joint application, budget adjustments and pauses emergency-manager hire

The Alpena County Finance Ways & Means Committee on May 13 recommended a slate of grants, budget adjustments, policy changes and personnel actions and approved forwarding several items to the Board of Commissioners.

Grants and major funding: Veterans Affairs Director Dan Perge presented a FY26 County Veterans Service Fund application requesting $22,635 with no county match for marketing and outreach; the committee recommended approval. Separately, NMMMA Chair Cindy Johnson requested that the county resubmit a joint application so the Northeast Michigan Materials Management Authority can receive an awarded $2.7 million USDA appropriation; the committee recommended the joint application and authorization for the chairman to sign paperwork. The minutes record one dissenting vote (Commissioner Brenda Foumier) on the NMMMA recommendation.

Budget adjustments and housekeeping: The committee approved several budget changes: a $1,663.22 reimbursement to Public Conservator Nicki Janish for client lodging (with associated line-item adjustments); Home Improvement program revenue and expenditure increases including adjustments to HPG and MSHDA MI-HOPE lines and a $19,228.88 transfer; a $2,374 increase to EOC Support for Emergency Management related to ice-storm administrative assistance; and recognition of two Plaza Pool grants (NE MI Women's Giving Circle $1,250 and ComImpact Fund $1,901, the latter with $1,099 already spent in FY24).

Credit cards and procurement: County Administrator Jesse Osmer said auditors recommended requiring receipts for all county credit-card purchases and holding employees responsible for charges if receipts are not provided; the committee recommended adopting that requirement. The committee also recommended issuing three new credit cards in the county's credit-union-required name format for Maintenance Superintendent Nick Akins, Interim Airport Manager Edward (Mick) Higgins, and Board Chairman John Kozlowski.

Budget process and personnel: The committee approved the proposed FY26 budget schedule and steps, including subcommittee assignments in July, department-head presentations in September, draft compilation in October, first reading Nov. 12, second reading Nov. 25 and third reading/adoption Dec. 9 (with Dec. 23 held as a backup). Personnel actions approved on the consent calendar included beginning recruitment for a 911 dispatcher, approving a Fairgrounds Park Management employment agreement, and permitting the Prosecutor's Office to hire Elizabeth Reed under contract subject to budget adjustments. The committee also approved jury-board appointments for Bonnie Friedrichs (Republican) and Marcia Burns (Democrat) to six-year terms.

Emergency-management hiring: Chair John Kozlowski pulled a personnel item to request more options and the committee voted to temporarily hold off on filling the Emergency Management position and to absorb $45,000 rather than partner with Montmorency County while further research is completed. Emergency Management and E911 Director Kim Elkie said she was disappointed with how the Montmorency County discussion unfolded but that she is willing to help in the interim.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the minutes): - Bills to pay: approved; roll-call unanimous (AYES: LaHaie, Ludlow, Bray, Foumier, Britton, Konarzewski, Kozlowski, Peterson). - FY26 CVSF grant ($22,635): recommended for approval (moved by Commissioner Konarzewski; motion carried). - NMMMA joint USDA application ($2.7M): committee recommended approval; minutes record one NAY (Commissioner Foumier). - Credit-card policy receipts requirement: recommended for approval; motion carried. - Issuance of three new credit cards: recommended for approval; motion carried. - Public Conservator reimbursement ($1,663.22): recommended for approval; motion carried. - Home Improvement and Emergency Management budget adjustments and Plaza Pool grants: recommended for approval; motions carried. - Consent calendar items and personnel actions (911 dispatcher recruitment; Fairgrounds management agreement; Prosecutor contract hire; jury appointments): recommended for approval; motions carried. - Temporary hold on filling Emergency Manager position and county to absorb $45,000 pending research: recommended for approval; motion carried with at least one recorded dissent.

What to watch next: several items (the tax-rate resolution, budget adjustments, and the USDA joint-application authorization) will be forwarded for further administrative steps or board consideration. The minutes show mostly unanimous committee support except where noted.

Sources: Alpena County Finance Ways & Means Committee minutes, May 13, 2025.