Oscoda County commissioners approve hires, museum repair contract and create 2026 tax revolving fund

Oscoda County commissioners met Feb. 10 in Mio and approved a series of routine personnel, budget and contract actions, including hires in the sheriff’s office and veterans affairs, authorization for Steiner Museum storm repairs and the creation of a 2026 Tax Revolving Fund.

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Charles E. Varner, Jr. at 10:00 a.m. and opened under the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Commissioners Tom McCauley and Ted Handrich were present; Commissioners Jackie Bondar and Joe Breaugh were excused.

Votes at a glance

• Motion 2026‑037 — Approval of the Feb. 10 agenda and annual organizational items. Passed 3–0 (McCauley, Varner, Handrich). • Motion 2026‑038 — Approval of the consent calendar, including unofficial minutes of Jan. 27, 2026. Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑040 — Acknowledged hiring of Zachary Stachurski as a full‑time deputy in the Sheriff’s Department at $25.68/hour with county benefits, effective Jan. 28, 2026. Passed 3–0. • Motions 2026‑041 & 2026‑042 — Acknowledged hiring of Vanessa Neff and Michael Hadden as part‑time Veterans Service Officers at $17.60/hour, not eligible for county benefits; budgets amended. Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑043 — Acknowledged hiring of Heidi VanWagner as a part‑time temporary District Court clerk (≤28 hours/week) at $17.00/hour, not eligible for benefits. Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑044 — Amended a prior motion and authorized the Steiner Museum board to contract with Rondo & Sons Builders Inc. for ice‑storm damage repairs, accepting a $4,246.00 quote with $2,100 due upon approval and the balance on completion; funds from Historical Comm Build Repair/Maint (232‑803‑903.00). Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑045 — Authorized a $25 transfer into the 269 Law Library Special Fund to correct a minor deficit for 2025. Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑046 — Waived collection of fees and interest for eligible groups (senior citizens, paraplegic, quadriplegic, eligible servicemen, veterans, widows, blind persons and permanently disabled applicants for Homestead Property Tax Credit) through May 1, 2026. Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑047 — Created the 2026 Tax Revolving Fund to purchase 2025 delinquent taxes, funded from the uncommitted Reserve of Fund (516) and establishing a General Operating Fund at Huntington Bank. Passed 3–0. • Motion 2026‑048 — Adjourned the meeting at 10:21 a.m. Passed 3–0.

On personnel, the board formally acknowledged hiring decisions: the sheriff’s office hire of Zachary Stachurski as a full‑time deputy paid from line 101‑301‑711.01; two part‑time veterans service officers, Vanessa Neff and Michael Hadden, whose positions were designated part time and not eligible for county benefits; and a part‑time temporary district court clerk, Heidi VanWagner, limited to 28 hours per week. The motions specified start dates and hourly wages as recorded in the motions.

Treasurer William Kendall presented financial items: the board approved a $25 corrective transfer into the Law Library Special Fund and voted to waive fees and interest for specified eligible applicants for the Homestead Property Tax Credit through May 1, 2026. The board also authorized creation of a Tax Revolving Fund to purchase delinquent 2025 taxes, to be funded from uncommitted reserves and held at Huntington Bank.

Museum leadership asked the board to amend an earlier authorization so the Steiner Museum board could enter a contract with Rondo & Sons Builders Inc. for ice‑storm repairs. The board accepted a $4,246.00 quote, with $2,100 due upon approval and the remainder due on completion, to be paid from the Historical Commission’s building repair and maintenance budget line (232‑803‑903.00).

Commissioners provided committee reports. Commissioners Handrich and McCauley noted an EMS presentation by Director Robert Stankiewicz on Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). McCauley also reported a township concern about removal of a 6% gas sales tax that affects constitutional revenue sharing and mentioned ongoing recruitment for a diesel mechanic.

Commissioner Varner recognized Michelle Knepp, Rick Burton and staff for organizing employee relocations after a county flood incident; the county is seeking a construction crew to investigate the cause and is awaiting a joint inspection. A non‑responsive participant received a 10‑day notice beginning Feb. 6, 2026; if there is no response the county will proceed with recovery and investigation independently.

The board adjourned at 10:21 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Oscoda County Courthouse Annex in Mio.