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Antrim County official urges Kalkaska participation as Elk Rapids Dam repairs could trigger special assessments
Summary
Antrim County Drain Commissioner Leslie Meyers told the board the Elk Rapids Dam repair affects waterways and thousands of parcels across four counties and asked Kalkaska to designate a representative and consider a special assessment on the 2026 winter tax bill; Meyers estimated responsibility percentages and said grants and bonds are insufficient to cover costs.
Leslie Meyers, Antrim County Drain Commissioner, updated Kalkaska County commissioners on the Elk Rapids Dam project, describing a repair need previously raised in summer 2025 and pointing to a 1960 law, a 1994 review and court orders that regulate lake levels in the affected watershed.
Meyers estimated that approximately 400 parcels in Clearwater Township and about 4,000 parcels across Antrim, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse and Charlevoix counties could be affected by the repair and associated assessments. She presented a proposed cost-responsibility split of roughly 70% for Antrim County and 10% each for Grand Traverse, Charlevoix and Kalkaska counties, and said grants will not cover all expenses; she indicated a bond would likely be sought and that she would return in February 2026 with more detailed figures.
Meyers requested that Kalkaska County appoint a board member to represent the county and Clearwater Township on the matter and discussed the possibility of placing a special assessment on the 2026 winter tax bill. Register of Deeds DeGraaf later noted that certain fees tied to the project would not be waivable.
