Oscoda County commissioners accept 2025 audit, fund EMS loan payoff and advertise $43,317 for wildfire projects

Chair Charles E. Varner Jr. presided over the Oscoda County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on July 14, 2026, at the Mio Community Center. The board conducted routine business and approved several financial and administrative items, including acceptance of the annual audit and a budget amendment to clear an EMS ambulance loan.

The board voted unanimously to accept the Oscoda County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, as presented by auditor Tyler Watters, C.P.A. The acceptance was recorded as motion 2026-171 and carried on a roll-call vote with all five commissioners voting yes.

As part of budget amendments presented on the consent calendar, the commissioners approved a $100,000 transfer from fund balance to the EMS equipment line (102.651.977.00) to pay off an ambulance loan that the board had previously approved. That EMS budget amendment was included in the consent calendar motion (2026-170), which passed unanimously.

Treasurer William Kendall asked the board to advertise for Title III funds totaling $43,317.22. The board approved advertising the Title III funds (motion 2026-172). The minutes state that eligible Title III projects must include one or more of the following: Firewise community programs, reimbursement for emergency services performed on federal land, and/or development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

County Administrator Michelle Knepp received authorization to extend an invitation to Human Resources and one representative from each union to attend the 2026 Annual MERS conference in Grand Rapids (motion 2026-173). The board also approved a $100 imprest cash fund for the county clerk’s service window (motion 2026-174) and acknowledged a Historical Commission-approved quote from Rondo and Son’s for up to $6,500 in project work at the Steiner Museum, with payment authorized and the budget amended accordingly (motion 2026-175).

Public matters included a brief introduction by Kevin Grace, who identified himself as a candidate for the Oscoda County Road Commission. No public comments were recorded during the formal public comment portion of the meeting. Commissioners provided routine committee reports before adjourning at 11:06 a.m. following a unanimous adjournment motion (2026-176).

Votes at a glance: motion 2026-169 (approve agenda), 2026-170 (approve minutes and consent calendar, including EMS amendment) — all carried 5-0; 2026-171 (accept 2025 audit) — carried 5-0; 2026-172 (advertise Title III funds $43,317.22) — carried 5-0; 2026-173 (authorize MERS conference invitations) — carried 5-0; 2026-174 (imprest cash $100) — carried 5-0; 2026-175 (acknowledge Steiner Museum quote up to $6,500) — carried 5-0; 2026-176 (adjourn) — carried 5-0.

The board listed several correspondence and report items (disaster relief, transportation update, government center repair) from Administrator Knepp and Emergency Manager Mike Bowers; the minutes record those items as listed but contain no detailed discussion in the transcript. The board indicated it will review an Oath of Office policy recommended by County Clerk/Recorder Libby Marsh-Shephard at a future meeting.