Oscoda County commissioners approve staffing moves, budget amendments and airport tank purchase

The Oscoda County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 14 at the Oscoda County Government Center and unanimously approved a series of routine personnel and budget actions, accepted the county’s apportionment report and a consultant’s cost allocation plan, and authorized purchases for county facilities.

Commissioner Charles E. Varner, Jr., chair, opened the public meeting at 10 a.m. After roll call confirmed Commissioners Varner, Joe Breaugh, Ted Handrich, Jackie Bondar and Tom McCauley were present, the board approved the meeting agenda and the consent calendar, which included budget amendments and the claims and audit docket totaling $158,085.98.

The board accepted the Oscoda County 2025 Apportionment Report as presented by Amber Woehlert, Oscoda County equalization director, noting the acceptance satisfied the county’s obligations under MCL 46.1. The board also voted to accept the FY2024 Cost Allocation Plan presented remotely by Dawn Bock, senior consultant at MGT, and authorized the chair to sign the certification letter.

On personnel matters, the board acknowledged the resignation of Julian Stenson from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services board effective Sept. 30, 2025. The board approved multiple sheriff’s department staffing actions: hiring Vance Stringham as a part‑time dispatcher at $18.00 per hour (non‑union), changing Andrew Taylor from full‑time to part‑time dispatcher status, and hiring Norman LaBonte as a full‑time deputy at $25.46 per hour (union) with county benefits.

The board approved a revision to committee appointments, naming Commissioner Joe Breaugh as the emergency management liaison in place of Commissioner Jackie Bondar. It also authorized recruitment for a part‑time Veterans Affairs service officer at a starting rate of $17.60 per hour and directed the clerk’s office to advertise and work with HR to fill a full‑time Clerk/Register of Deeds position following the retirement of Deputy Clerk Lisa Frank effective Dec. 31, 2025.

On financial items, the board approved a $3,600 quote from Maxwell Medals & Awards for a dedication plaque at the sheriff’s department, to be paid from contingency with anticipated reimbursements of $1,200 each from Clark Construction and Sidock. The board amended the trial court budget to add $1,371.14 to cover judges’ salary increases effective Oct. 1, 2025, per a Michigan Supreme Court letter and Public Act 31 of 2016. The board also approved an amendment to permit use of unexpended FY2025 MIDC grant funds under state terms and authorized the chair to sign.

For airport infrastructure, the board amended an earlier motion and authorized purchase of a 2,500‑gallon horizontal storage tank from Highland Tank LLC for $17,533.00, with payment deferred to 2026 and charged to the Airport New Equipment budget line.

Commissioners provided committee reports on recent conferences and local events, including the Michigan Association of Counties annual conference and several local boards and community events; Commissioner Breaugh quoted the Veterans Affairs department policy saying, “No Veteran Is Ever Left Behind,” when describing outreach work. The meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2025.

Votes at a glance: Every recorded motion during the Oct. 14 meeting passed by unanimous vote (5–0) where recorded, with roll calls recorded in the minutes.