Alpena County commissioners approve 2026 policies, warming shelter funding and Animal Control staffing

The Alpena County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 17 approved several governance changes and emergency funding measures, including a $15,000 allocation to St. Vincent de Paul to operate a warming shelter and a $1,000 transfer to the countys Finding Your Way Home Program to assist nonlocal shelter guests.

County Administrator Jesse Osmer presented the package of actions that the board unanimously approved. The board adopted the 2026 Board Policies, which among other changes give the treasurer authority to make payroll adjustments within the same budget with clerk or administrator sign-off, set chairmanships every two years and vice chairmanships annually, require agendas to be released two business days before meetings, and add a Contracts & Grants Committee. Commissioner Bill Peterson moved approval of the policies; Commissioner Todd Britton supported the motion.

The board approved submitting final documentation to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for reimbursement related to the 2025 winter ice storm, directing the expected reimbursement (approximately $63,636.05) into line item 101-200-502.001. County Administrator Jesse Osmer presented the FEMA memo and the board voted to proceed.

On operational and community-service items, the board approved a…