Mackinac County commissioners approve full-time maintenance position, set millage wording and clear $1.6 million in payments

The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners on March 12 approved a set of routine but budget-related measures, including converting a vacant part-time maintenance position into a full-time job, approving ballot language for a Community Action millage and authorizing more than $1.5 million in payments.

Vice Chair John Kling called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the Annex Boardroom in St. Ignace. Clerk Hillary Vowell told commissioners that making the maintenance position full time would likely attract more qualified candidates and estimated the annual cost increase at about $12,000. Commissioner Austin Kimberling moved to convert the position to full time; the motion passed on a roll call vote: Kimberling, Kling, Schroeder and St. Louis-Scott voted yes; Commissioner Mike Patrick was absent.

Community Action Director Joe Nolan presented proposed ballot wording for a millage to appear on the August election ballot. Commissioner Judy St. Louis-Scott moved to approve the language; Commissioner Austin Kimberling seconded and the board approved the wording unanimously among members present.

The board authorized payment of the regular bills dated March 12 totaling $1,417,927.70 and approved additional bills totaling $178,707.51. Commissioners also approved budget amendment #26-07, which in the meeting materials listed amounts of $1,500, $900,000 and $24,000; the transcript did not specify how those three figures are allocated among funds or line items.

Because the board voted to cancel its second March meeting, Clerk Vowell was authorized to submit Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 2% funding applications to the tribe after two commissioners review them by email. Sheriff Ed Wilk briefly noted that the county must meet new ADA website accessibility requirements by 2027.

The board adjourned at 5:25 p.m. after noting the January bank report. Several items recorded in the meeting packet—including attachments referenced for minutes, letters and bills—were noted as attached in the record but not read into the public transcript.