Board directs counsel to draft agreement framework for Boyne City–Charlevoix non-motorized trail

The Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 8 unanimously directed civil counsel to draft a resolution clarifying the county’s relationship with the Charlevoix County Trails Council and any financial commitments tied to development of phases 4 and 5 of the Boyne City–Charlevoix non-motorized trail.

Steve Van Dam presented a proposal on behalf of the Trails Council asking the county to allow the council to work with engineering firm Wade Trim; Van Dam said the Trails Council will raise funds and pay Wade Trim directly for surveying and grant writing. Commissioner Scott Hankins moved to direct civil counsel to draft the resolution; Commissioner Joshua Chamberlain seconded the motion, which passed on a 5-0 roll call vote.

The direction requires civil counsel to produce a draft resolution defining the council’s and county’s roles and clarifying whether county staff or funds will be committed to the project. The board did not adopt a final intergovernmental or funding agreement during the meeting; it took only the step of requesting counsel draft formal language for future consideration.

Administrator Kevin Shepard later noted the trail’s ribbon cutting was rescheduled to Nov. 5, 2025, during his administrator’s report.

The action creates a formal record that the board will consider the Trails Council’s proposed working relationship with the county before any county staff time or funds are committed.