Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Law Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes sheriff to apply for multiple grants, lifts hiring freeze for dispatcher and approves vehicle and fingerprint purchases
Summary
Kalkaska County commissioners authorized the sheriff to apply for ORV, marine, snowmobile and Secondary Road Patrol grants, lifted a hiring freeze to fill a full‑time dispatcher, and approved purchases including a 2025 Trailblazer and Livescan fingerprint systems.
Sheriff Patrick Whiteford briefed the committee on departmental needs and the board approved several consensus measures. Commissioners approved the appointment of Mike Fitch to the 911 Kalkaska County Advisory Board and authorized the Sheriff to apply for 2025/2026 DNR grants (ORV, ORV Safety, Marine and Snowmobile) and a Secondary Road Patrol Grant through MCOLES. The committee also approved Resolution 2025‑03 to lift a hiring freeze so the Sheriff may hire a full‑time dispatcher.
The board authorized capital purchases recommended by the Sheriff: a 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer at a price not to exceed $25,000; a Livescan fingerprint workstation for $17,506 and a laptop fingerprint unit for $7,342 (total $24,848) to be paid from jail funding; and a modified EPS agreement for $17,000.99 charged to the County Wide Improvement Fund 245. Committee members asked the Sheriff to follow up with procurement details and change orders where applicable.
