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Commissioners debate removal of Kalkaska County treasurer; removal motion fails, resignation letter authorized
Summary
Commissioners debated removing Treasurer Valerie Tracey after reporting missing reconciliations, returned checks and roughly $12,000 in penalties; a removal motion failed, but the board voted 5–2 to draft a formal resignation letter and set a special meeting for July 23 to pursue options.
The Kalkaska County Board of Commissioners debated formal steps to remove County Treasurer Valerie Tracey during its July 15 meeting after multiple commissioners raised financial-control concerns.
Commissioner Robert Baldwin moved to "initiate administrative procedures necessary to remove the current Kalkaska County Treasurer, Valerie Tracey, from office immediately," citing an apparent absence of monthly bank reconciliations, returned checks and about $12,000 in penalties and interest; Baldwin also said an audit extension had been denied by "SOM." The motion failed for lack of the required supermajority (roll call: Baldwin, Sieting, Bicum yes; Comai, Matley, Fisher no; Persons yes). Baldwin then resigned from his role on the Finance Committee, saying he would not review county financials "until such time there is someone capable in the Treasurer's Office."
After additional discussion the board approved a separate motion, 5–2, to draft a formal letter (to be reviewed by counsel) requesting Treasurer Tracey's resignation. Commissioners who voted in favor cited repeated inability to validate bank reconciliations and continuing late-payment costs; Commissioners who opposed removal said the matter should be decided by voters or require further legal review. Commissioner Jeff Sieting successfully moved to schedule a Special Meeting on July 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM to review materials for possible submission to the Governor about the Treasurer's office.
No statement from Treasurer Tracey appears in the meeting record. Resident commenter Annie Wallace reiterated at public input that she is prepared to pursue a recall and urged the board to seek new counsel and swift action.
What happens next: the board has directed counsel to review the resignation-letter draft and will meet July 23 to consider procedural steps and any submission to the Governor’s office.
