Mackinac County board adopts 2026 budget, approves wage increases and per‑parcel fee plan
December 22, 2025 | Mackinac County, Michigan
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the proposed 2026 budget during its Dec. 22 meeting in St. Ignace.
The adoption followed a budget hearing in which no members of the public spoke. Commissioner Judy St. Louis‑Scott moved to adopt the budget and Commissioner John Kling seconded; Commissioners Austin Kimberling, John Kling, Mike Patrick, Daryl Schroeder and St. Louis‑Scott voted yes on the roll call.
County officials said the budget includes several personnel and compensation actions. The board approved a tentative agreement with AFSCME and voted to implement an updated 2023 wage study after Commissioner Kling said he had updated the study’s figures to current levels. Chief Judge Beth A. Gibson requested that court staff receive the same increase as AFSCME unit members; the board approved a 4% increase in 2026 for all court employees.
Treasurer Tina Massey told the board that paperwork for a loan with First National Bank did not meet State of Michigan requirements under PA 34 and that she would work with auditors and the bank to correct the paperwork; commissioners asked for additional time to review the materials before related actions proceed.
The board also accepted a recommendation from Equalization Director Dulcee Ranta to increase per‑parcel ad valorem charges: up to $0.75 per parcel in 2026, $1.00 in 2027 and $1.50 in 2028. Ranta and Clerk Hillary Vowell were directed to prepare and distribute notices for local units.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt 2026 proposed budget: unanimous (Kimberling, Kling, Patrick, Schroeder, St. Louis‑Scott) — approved.
- Approve AFSCME tentative agreement: unanimous — approved.
- Implement updated 2023 wage study: unanimous — approved.
- Approve 4% pay increase for court staff (2026): unanimous — approved.
- Accept Equalization per‑parcel increase schedule (2026–2028): unanimous — approved.
The board adjourned at 12:57 p.m.
The adoption followed a budget hearing in which no members of the public spoke. Commissioner Judy St. Louis‑Scott moved to adopt the budget and Commissioner John Kling seconded; Commissioners Austin Kimberling, John Kling, Mike Patrick, Daryl Schroeder and St. Louis‑Scott voted yes on the roll call.
County officials said the budget includes several personnel and compensation actions. The board approved a tentative agreement with AFSCME and voted to implement an updated 2023 wage study after Commissioner Kling said he had updated the study’s figures to current levels. Chief Judge Beth A. Gibson requested that court staff receive the same increase as AFSCME unit members; the board approved a 4% increase in 2026 for all court employees.
Treasurer Tina Massey told the board that paperwork for a loan with First National Bank did not meet State of Michigan requirements under PA 34 and that she would work with auditors and the bank to correct the paperwork; commissioners asked for additional time to review the materials before related actions proceed.
The board also accepted a recommendation from Equalization Director Dulcee Ranta to increase per‑parcel ad valorem charges: up to $0.75 per parcel in 2026, $1.00 in 2027 and $1.50 in 2028. Ranta and Clerk Hillary Vowell were directed to prepare and distribute notices for local units.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt 2026 proposed budget: unanimous (Kimberling, Kling, Patrick, Schroeder, St. Louis‑Scott) — approved.
- Approve AFSCME tentative agreement: unanimous — approved.
- Implement updated 2023 wage study: unanimous — approved.
- Approve 4% pay increase for court staff (2026): unanimous — approved.
- Accept Equalization per‑parcel increase schedule (2026–2028): unanimous — approved.
The board adjourned at 12:57 p.m.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
