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Commissioners cite $5.5M damage estimate for Oscoda County and warn of Council on Aging funding shortfall
Summary
Commissioners reported FEMA right-of-way cleanup estimates of about $5.5 million for Oscoda County after a major ice storm and noted a potential $100,000 funding shortfall for the Council on Aging that could prompt a 2028 millage request.
During committee reports on May 13, Commissioner Tom McCauley said FEMA assessments estimate right-of-way cleanup costs of about $5.5 million for Oscoda County (he also cited estimates of $8 million for Otsego County and $6 million for Montmorency County).
Commissioner Jackie Bondar reported concern about potential loss of funding through the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMSCA) and related organizations, which she said could total approximately $100,000. Mr. Skip Barringer asked the board to note that, if that funding is lost, the Council on Aging would request board approval to raise its millage to 1.5 in 2028.
Emergency Management and county officials discussed ice-storm recovery funding options, and Rob Pallarito, district director for U.S. Representative Michelle Hoitenga, explained HB4328 "Disaster Relief Funding for Northern Michigan" and its status.
Why it matters: The estimated cleanup costs and potential cuts to social-service funding indicate a substantial fiscal need that could require county-level decisions, grant applications, or future millage requests. No formal funding appropriation or millage action was taken at this meeting; the board received updates and recorded concerns.
