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Kalkaska commissioners approve DNR enforcement grant applications and lift hiring freeze for sheriff positions
Summary
The board authorized applications for 2026–2027 DNR enforcement grants and approved resolutions lifting the hiring freeze so the sheriff may hire a full-time deputy and a full-time corrections officer; motions passed by consensus with no opposition.
The Kalkaska County Board of Commissioners voted on Feb. 11 to authorize applications for 2026–2027 DNR Marine, ORV, ORV Safety and Snowmobile Law Enforcement grants and to lift the county hiring freeze so the sheriff may fill two full-time positions.
Admin/Sheriff Patrick Whiteford presented the sheriff department items. Commissioner Robert Baldwin moved to apply for the DNR grants; Commissioner Scott Matley supported the motion and the board approved it by consensus. The board also approved Resolution 2026-04 to lift the hiring freeze to allow the sheriff to fill a full-time law enforcement deputy and Resolution 2026-05 to fill a full-time corrections officer vacancy; both were recorded as approved without opposition.
The grants target law-enforcement patrol and safety coverage on recreational waterways, off-road vehicle corridors and snowmobile routes for the 2026–2027 season. Commissioners did not record a roll-call vote in the minutes, describing the actions as approved by consensus. The board did not set specific hiring timelines during the meeting; staff were directed to proceed with required advertising and recruitment steps under the lifted hiring-freeze resolutions.
