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Commissioners press 911 board legal question and back Beaver Island communications; public commenters urge tower support
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Summary
During committee reports and unscheduled comments, commissioners raised a legal question about the CCE 911 Board's acceptance of the Little Traverse Band at a discounted rate and expressed support for improving Beaver Island communications; public commenters urged support for a Beaver Island tower and highlighted mutual-aid concerns.
Commissioners used their Jan. 28 reports to raise questions about regional 911 governance and to press for improved communications for Beaver Island.
Commissioner Chris Christensen told the board the CCE 911 Board is awaiting a legal opinion on whether the board’s decision to accept the Little Traverse Band into an agreement at a discounted rate should have been brought before the three county boards for consideration. Christensen said the legal opinion is pending and the matter remains before the CCE 911 Board.
Unscheduled public commenters urged support for enhanced Beaver Island communications. Jesse Silva, Marion Township and Lake Charlevoix EMS Director, said he “appreciated and understood the need to address the ‘bowl’ problem in Charlevoix” and stressed the importance of supporting Beaver Island because of the “significant amount of mutual aid provided.” Dan Thorp, Charlevoix Township Fire Chief, said he supported a communications tower for Beaver Island.
Commissioner Scott Hankins also said he believed comments from the Charlevoix Police Chief on the issue contained inaccurate statements; he read from multiple CCE 911 Board meeting minutes dating to June 2025 in response. The transcript does not include the chief’s original statements, the text of the CCE 911 minutes Hankins read, nor the pending legal opinion. The board did not take formal action on the matter during the Jan. 28 meeting.