Ontonagon County adopts resolution seeking state disaster contingency funds for July 2023 storms

The Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21, 2025 adopted Resolution 2025-11 asking the governor to authorize a grant from the State Disaster Contingency Fund to assist with public damage from the July 23, 2023 severe storms and flooding.

The resolution, adopted by motion of Commissioner Bourdeau supported by Commissioner Nousiainen and carried on a roll call vote, states the county implemented its emergency operations plan and that public damage and expenditures from the event “were extraordinary and place an unreasonably great financial burden on Ontonagon County totaling more than $250,000.” The resolution cites Section 19 of the Emergency Management Act, Act 390 of the Public Acts of 1976, as the authority for the request.

The board authorized Ryan DeHut to execute the grant application on behalf of Ontonagon County and to provide any information the state requires for the application. County Clerk Stacy C. Preiss attested to the action in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The request, if approved by the state, would provide supplementary funding to help repair public infrastructure damaged by the 2023 storms. The resolution frames road infrastructure damage as a primary county need arising from the event.

What happens next: Adoption of the county resolution sends the request to the state for consideration under Act 390; the resolution does not itself obligate county funds beyond standard matching or reporting requirements that may be required by the state. The minutes do not record any discussion of estimated matching requirements, timeline for state review, or a dollar amount requested from the contingency fund beyond the county’s statement that total local damage exceeded $250,000.