Mackinac County commissioners approve courtroom loan, change road-match payouts and pass budget amendment

The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners on May 22 voted unanimously to accept financing terms for a planned courtroom remodel, approve a change to the county’s Road Match Program, accept personnel resignations and appointments, and pass routine bills and a budget amendment.

Commissioners approved a loan offer from First National Bank at an interest rate of 5.125% for 10 years to finance a courtroom remodel, with Commissioner John Kling moving to accept the terms and Commissioner Austin Kimberling seconding. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

Clerk Hillary Vowell asked the board to accept Lisa Knight’s resignation from the Canvassing Board and to appoint Kurt Knowles to serve the remainder of the term; the board approved the resignation and appointment unanimously. Vowell also raised the Juneteenth holiday practice — noting courts observe the day per a chief judge’s order, while union employees do not — and said the issue will be addressed during upcoming union negotiations; no action was taken on that item.

Treasurer Tina Jones Massey outlined a change to the Road Match Program agreed with the Road Commission: instead of county-mediated distribution, the road match money will be sent directly to townships and cities so local governments can set aside funds for larger projects and retain flexibility in their budgets. The board voted to approve that change and asked the clerk to notify townships and cities; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also accepted a resignation from Planning Commission member Barbara Schroeder, approved several sets of bills — regular bills for May 22 totaling $55,621.64, manual bills of May 16 totaling $15,699.69 and additional bills totaling $37,533.71 — and approved budget amendment #2025-16. All votes were recorded as unanimous roll calls.

The meeting included standard committee updates: Commissioner Schroeder reported briefly on Manistique Lake Dam work, and Commissioner Kling summarized recent Planning Commission and Road Commission meetings. The board adjourned at 6:11 p.m.

Votes at a glance • Agenda approval — Moved: Commissioner Austin Kimberling; Second: Commissioner Daryl Schroeder; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Minutes (May 7, 2025) approval — Moved: Commissioner Austin Kimberling; Second: Commissioner John Kling; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Canvassing Board resignation/appointment (Lisa Knight/Kurt Knowles) — Moved: Commissioner Kimberling; Second: Commissioner St. Louis-Scott; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Road Match Program distribution change — Moved: Commissioner Kling; Second: Commissioner Kimberling; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Courtroom remodel loan (First National Bank, 5.125% for 10 years) — Moved: Commissioner Kling; Second: Commissioner Kimberling; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Planning Commission resignation (Barbara Schroeder) — Moved: Commissioner Kimberling; Second: Commissioner Schroeder; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Direction to E911 Coordinator Bryce Tracy to develop reorganization/budget plan (see separate article) — Moved: Commissioner Kimberling; Second: Commissioner Schroeder; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Enter closed session (pursuant to MCL 15.268(h)) / Exit closed session — Moved: Commissioner Kling; Second: Commissioner Kimberling; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Accept legal opinion and move forward — Moved: Commissioner Kling; Second: Commissioner Kimberling; Outcome: unanimous yes. • Approve regular/manual/additional bills and budget amendment #2025-16 — Moved: Commissioner Kimberling; Second: Commissioner Schroeder; Outcome: unanimous yes.

What it means The loan approval clears the way for the county to proceed with a planned courtroom remodel while preserving general-fund cash by spreading payments across the loan term. The Road Match Program change shifts cash-flow control to local governments so townships and cities can accumulate funds for larger road projects. Several personnel changes were handled administratively. The board asked for additional information and follow-up on several issues discussed during the meeting, including transfer-station fees and emergency-management staffing.

Next steps E911 Coordinator Bryce Tracy will present reorganization options and budget impacts for the vacant Emergency Manager position at the June meeting. County staff will notify townships and cities about the Road Match Program payout change and the city manager will circulate a survey about transfer-station fee impacts before returning to the board with results.