The Grants and Contracts Committee of Alpena County approved two emergency‑management grant renewals during its March 12 meeting.
Emergency Management Director Nic Modrzynski presented the FY25 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) renewal and said county funding available to emergency management has declined in recent years, a trend previous Emergency Management Director Kim Elkie also noted. The committee voted unanimously to approve the EMPG renewal for $3,536.00 with an in‑kind county match of $1,768.00; the committee directed that revenue be posted to line item 101-426-548.000 as presented.
The committee then approved the MSP Emergency Management & Homeland Security Divisions 2025–26 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant application. Director Modrzynski said the HMEP application requests $1,500.00 with a $300 in‑kind contribution (20%). The committee authorized the Local Emergency Planning Committee Chair to sign all pertaining documents.
County Administrator Jesse Osmer asked the committee to have the Treasurer create an expense line item for grant‑match funds in the Emergency Management budget; Commissioners approved that request by motion.
The committee recorded the motions and roll‑call votes. The EMPG motion was moved by Commissioner Lucille Bray and supported by Commissioner John Kozlowski; the HMEP motion was moved by Commissioner Kozlowski and supported by Commissioner Bray. Chair Dan Ludlow presided over the unanimous votes.
Why it matters: EMPG and HMEP grants fund local preparedness and hazardous‑materials planning and training; securing the renewals preserves current funding levels for Alpena County emergency‑response activities. The committee’s creation of a specific grant‑match line item aims to keep grant funds auditable and separate in the budget.
What’s next: The approved grant applications will be executed and the Treasurer will create the requested grant‑match line item so match costs can be tracked.