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Mackinac County approves Sault Tribe 2% grants, routine bills and budget amendment; commissioners question Economic Alliance spending
Summary
The Board unanimously approved two Sault Tribe 2% funding requests for the Engadine Museum chimney and the Straits Cultural Center elevator, approved regular and additional bills and passed budget amendment #2025-31; commissioners said county contributions to the Economic Alliance will be reviewed during budget sessions.
The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25 approved two Sault Tribe 2% funding applications and a set of routine financial measures, and the board discussed whether county funding for the Economic Alliance is producing expected economic growth.
On the two Sault Tribe 2% applications, the board voted 4–0 to fund chimney repairs at the Engadine Museum building and an elevator project at the Straits Cultural Center after a staff presentation and review (motion moved by Commissioner Austin Kimberling and seconded by Commissioner John Kling).
The board then reviewed and approved the county’s regular bills totaling $84,378.15 and additional bills totaling $67,812.89 on separate unanimous roll call votes. The board also approved budget amendment #2025-31 by unanimous roll call.
During new-business discussion, commissioners expressed concern about what they described as a lack of communication from the Economic Alliance and questioned whether county contributions are generating measurable economic growth. Commissioners noted the appropriation to the Economic Alliance is discretionary and said it could be reduced or eliminated during upcoming budget sessions; the board did not take immediate action on that appropriation at the Sept. 25 meeting.
Commissioner John Kling informed the board of a Nov. 11 Veterans Day service and ribbon-cutting at the new Veterans Office building that will include a performance by Ted Nugent; the board encouraged county residents to attend to learn more about Veterans Services. Citizen Richard Pershinske asked about the status of the county recycling program; Chair Mike Patrick said the Transfer Station remains under discussion.
Next steps: approved grants and budget actions are recorded in the meeting minutes and supporting documents; commissioners signaled forthcoming budget sessions during which discretionary appropriations such as the Economic Alliance contribution will be revisited.
