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Alpena County moves forward on hiring a full‑time emergency manager and approves several administrative items
Summary
The board authorized starting the hiring process for a full‑time Emergency Manager (pending identification of funding), approved a $65,964 HUNT Byrne JAG grant with no county match, authorized signature of an IT contract with the City of Alpena once the city approves it, and approved parks‑related changes including allowing the Parks Commission to amend mooring fees and untaxing parks mileage per diems.
The Alpena County Board of Commissioners on June 24 voted to move forward with hiring a full‑time Emergency Manager, approved several routine administrative items and accepted a corrected public‑safety grant amount.
Commissioner Brenda Foumier moved and Commissioner Dan Ludlow supported starting the hiring process for a full‑time Emergency Manager, contingent on County Administrator Jesse Osmer identifying funding. The motion passed unanimously among present commissioners.
Public‑safety and administrative actions: HUNT Unit Commander D/Lt. Ray Rollet corrected the FY26 Byrne JAG grant amount to $65,964 (previously submitted as $64,314); the board approved the grant with no county match and authorized the chairman to sign grant documents. The board also authorized either the chairman or the county administrator to sign an IT contract with the City of Alpena once the city completes its approval process.
Parks and property items: The Parks Commission asked to amend the Parks Ordinance to allow the commission to set mooring fees at county parks; the board approved the commission proceeding with the amendment and returning with recommended language. Commissioners also approved untaxing the mileage portion of Parks per diems after County Clerk Keri Bertrand explained the taxable setup had been driven by an earlier per‑diem structure. Administrator Osmer said a 40‑acre waterfront parcel on Long Lake is constrained by wetlands, likely not available for timber harvest for about 40 years, and could sell for a minimum of $120,000; he will contact EGLE and conservation districts about possible offers.
Library update: Library Board Chair Dustin Budd introduced new Library Director Tina Markowski, reported a $250,000 unrestricted trust fund received last year and that the library awarded $15,000 toward a Maker Lab; a trustee vacancy will be filled prior to required training in August.
Facilities: Northern Lights Arena reported a dehumidifier problem with an estimated repair cost of about $17,000 and noted it must spend an initial $6,000 per contract before using surcharge funds; the board authorized NLA to solicit bids and return for review.
Why it matters: The emergency manager position would centralize and professionalize county emergency planning and response oversight; the other approvals address routine county operations, stewardship of public property and grant administration.
Next steps: Administrator Osmer will identify funding sources for the emergency manager position and return with next steps; staff will also process grant paperwork, bring back ordinance language for mooring fees and pursue possible offers for the Long Lake parcel.
