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Mackinac County board authorizes grievance settlement, adopts LMAS wastewater resolution and approves bills
Summary
At its April 9, 2026 meeting in St. Ignace, the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners unanimously authorized a grievance settlement, adopted a wastewater resolution from the LMAS Health Department, approved several bills and multiple budget amendments, and directed the county clerk to terminate outside cleaning services.
The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners met April 9, 2026, in the Annex Boardroom in St. Ignace and took a series of unanimous votes to address a grievance settlement, adopt a wastewater resolution and approve routine bills and budget amendments.
In a closed-session sequence the board met to consider a legal opinion under Michigan law (MCL 15.268(i)(h)) and afterward authorized County Clerk Hillary Vowell to work with legal counsel to move forward on a settlement of a grievance. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Austin Kimberling, John Kling, Mike Patrick, Daryl Schroeder and Judy St. Louis-Scott voting yes.
The board adopted a wastewater resolution submitted by the LMAS Health Department after review. The measure was approved on a unanimous vote and was presented to the board as part of new business.
Commissioners approved three sets of bills presented at the meeting: the March 26 regular bills totaling $129,613.86, the April 9 regular bills totaling $130,399.02 and additional April 9 bills totaling $254,057.30. All votes were unanimous.
The board also approved four budget amendments: #26-08 (amounts recorded in the meeting packet as $12,000, $6,000 and $100), #26-09 ($10,400), #26-10 ($123,008.54) and #26-11 ($1,500). Those amendments were all approved by roll-call vote with every commissioner voting yes.
On staffing and facilities, Clerk Hillary Vowell said hiring a new full‑time maintenance worker should reduce the county's need for outside cleaning services and cut cleaning costs; the board directed Vowell to send a 30‑day termination notice to Spotless Solutions Cleaning. Sheriff Ed Wilk reported that the sheriff's office lobby restrooms are complete and praised the work: "they look great, it's been a long time coming for this remodel." Wilk also noted a proposed purchase of a 16‑foot trailer that will be fully funded by a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant.
E-911 Emergency Manager Bryce Tracy introduced new Deputy Director Justin Friend and thanked the board and residents for cooperation during a recent winter storm.
During public comment, Clark Township resident Paul Hitchens asked the board to consider creating a committee to pursue natural gas installation in Clark Township and said he had been in contact with the Michigan Infrastructure Office; the board recommended he work with township supervisors to pursue next steps.
The board was informed that repairs to the county maintenance truck and the animal shelter have been completed, and members agreed to move the regular May meeting from May 14 to May 12. The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
The board's actions included formal motions and unanimous roll-call approvals; documents referenced at the meeting (bills, budget amendments and the LMAS resolution) were attached to the official meeting packet.
