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Oscoda board accepts supervisor's resignation; public commenter urges transparency on budget shortfall
Summary
The Oscoda Township Board accepted Supervisor Tom Maxwell's resignation Jan. 21, appointed Ms. McGuire as special meeting chair and postponed discussion about a replacement. A public commenter asked the board to disclose the size of an unspecified deficit and questioned last year's audit.
The Oscoda Township Board on Jan. 21 accepted the resignation of Supervisor Tom Maxwell and temporarily postponed discussion of an interim or replacement supervisor.
Supervisor Tom Maxwell's resignation, dated Jan. 17, 2025, was accepted after a motion by Mr. Linderman supported by Ms. Tregear; the board recorded an all-yes roll call vote among members present. Ms. McGuire was selected as special meeting chair by motion of Ms. Tait, supported by Ms. Fortner, and the board adjourned at 12:54 p.m.
The brief special meeting at Robert J. Parks Library included public comment from resident Dave Carmona, who pressed the board to disclose the size of what he described as a township budget deficit and asked whether last year's audit by Plante Moran had any responsibility. "The public needs to be informed of the deficit because it informs how we will interact with you and what your potential actions are," Carmona said. He suggested tools the township could consider, including staff reductions, creation of a pay commission, and, if the situation merits, seeking a state emergency financial manager under applicable law (he cited "MCL 42").
Board members discussed legal deadlines and logistics for filling the supervisor vacancy, including whether to return to a council-manager form of government by hiring a superintendent, how long an appointed person would serve, and how payment authorization would be handled while the township lacks a supervisor or superintendent. The board voted to postpone further discussion on replacement or interim options until its next meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to select Ms. McGuire as Special Meeting Chair (moved by Ms. Tait; supported by Ms. Fortner): passed by roll call (all present voted yes). - Motion to accept the resignation of Supervisor Tom Maxwell dated Jan. 17, 2025 (moved by Mr. Linderman; supported by Ms. Tregear): passed by roll call (all present voted yes). - Motion to postpone discussion of interim/replacement options until the next meeting (moved by Ms. Fortner; supported by Ms. McGuire): passed by roll call (all present voted yes).
The public commenter also urged caution about shifting to a council-manager government and recommended consideration of a pay commission with rotating terms to set salaries. The board did not provide a figure for the alleged deficit during the meeting; the size of any shortfall and any formal findings from the prior audit by Plante Moran were not specified on the record.
The board listed members Ms. McGuire, Ms. Tregear, Ms. Fortner, Ms. Tait and Mr. Linderman as present; Mr. Cummings and Mr. Maxwell were absent. The item about replacement options will be taken up at a subsequent meeting; no appointments or interim supervisors were made at this session.
