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Alpena County board approves revised veterans grant, pays $145,138 in bills and clears TeleCAD tower poll vote
Summary
The Alpena County Board of Commissioners on July 22 approved a revised FY26 Veterans Service Fund grant (now a reimbursement grant), authorized payment of $145,138.44 in bills, and recorded a unanimous poll vote allowing TeleCAD (for Verizon) to pursue a 75‑year tower lease on county property at M‑32. The board also approved a fairgrounds equipment trade over one dissent.
Alpena County commissioners on Tuesday approved several administrative actions, including a reduced, revised FY26 County Veterans Service Fund grant that the county must fund up front, the payment of $145,138.44 in bills, and a poll vote permitting TeleCAD, on behalf of Verizon, to pursue a long‑term tower lease on county property.
Director of Veterans Affairs Dan Perge presented the revised veterans grant application for $12,893.00 and told the board the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has changed its payment practice: “they will no longer be doing advanced payments of grant funds, changing this to a reimbursement grant. The money will need to come out the Veterans budget.” Commissioners voted to submit the revised application as presented.
Chairman John Kozlowski presented bills totaling $145,138.44; Commissioner Bill Peterson moved and Commissioner Brenda Foumier supported payment of the bills, and a roll call vote approved payment with all commissioners voting aye.
The board also recorded a poll vote authorizing TeleCAD, working on behalf of Verizon, to pursue placement of a communications tower on county property along M‑32 (preferably behind the sheriff’s office), to negotiate a 75‑year lease and accept a $125,000 lump‑sum payment. Chairman Kozlowski described the poll vote for the record and the roll call showed unanimous agreement.
The actions were largely procedural: commissioners approved the consent calendar — which included committee minutes and a recommendation to obtain a temporary campsite permit for the Alpena County Fairgrounds during fair week — and filed reports from standing committees. Facilities committee members discussed fair‑week camping and working with agencies on options for homeless campers; the Airport committee reported equipment inspections and healthy finances.
A separate item on the meeting agenda, considered under new business, involved a trade of county maintenance equipment for a golf cart to be used at the fairgrounds. That transaction was addressed in a separate vote.
The board adjourned at 2:02 p.m.
