EMMET COUNTY NEWS

Following the recent events in Minnesota, Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin stated that "the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office condemns the actions that resulted in the tragic death of George Floyd.” As one of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, Sheriff Wallin also wanted to share a joint statement from the Board of Directors that was issued June 1, 2020. Click here to read that statement in full.

The County of Emmet is seeking an attorney experienced in criminal law defense to become part of a group of attorneys who provide legal services to indigent criminal defendants in the District and Circuit Courts for Emmet County. The successful applicant will be required to sign as a party to an Agreement for Legal Representation of Indigents (“the Agreement”). To obtain a copy of the Agreement, please contact Robert Engel, Civil Counsel for Emmet County at rengel@emmetcounty.org. The current contract runs through December 31, 2020, although similar contracts have been in place for a number of years. The successful applicant will be an independent contractor to the county. Compensation will be provided as stated in the Agreement. As an independent contractor, this is not an employment position with Emmet County. Click here to read the requirements for the position.

Following the recent retirement of commissioner Larry Williams from the Emmet County Road Commission board, the Emmet County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants to fulfill the remainder of Williams' term which ends Dec. 31, 2020. Commissioners on the Road Commission board serve for six-year terms on appointment by the county commissioners. Those interested in applying for consideration of this opening on the Road Commission are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. The Emmet County Board of Commissioners plan to appoint a new commissioner to the Road Commission during its June 8, 2020 meeting.

Please visit our COVID-19 INFORMATION PAGE for recent news releases from Emmet County officials in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The page also includes quick links to all county departments, their contact information during the county building closure and any notices regarding their department's current operational status. As this situation evolves, please refer to the COVID-19 INFORMATION PAGE for the latest news and specific information related to Emmet County government operations and any changes to county services.

**Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Emmet County officials have closed the county building and courthouse in downtown Petoskey and other public county buildings, effective Wednesday, March 18 and at least through Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Note that the county is now using Zoom to conduct necessary public meetings remotely. Check the meeting's entry in the county meeting calendar for instructions on how to join that Zoom meeting. County officials also remind citizens that established rules of conduct in place for in-person meetings will apply to the virtual meetings.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY on March 10 after confirmation of positive cases of Michiganders infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. All residents are encouraged to take preventative measures to limit exposure to the virus. For residents seeking more information about the virus and the state's efforts to limit the potential spread of the virus, go to Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

Emmet County has the following positions open:
• HELP DESK TECHNICIAN
• CAMP PETOSEGA SEASONAL STAFF
• HEADLANDS DARK SKY PARK SEASONAL STAFF
• CROOKED RIVER LOCK ATTENDANT
• FAIRGROUNDS TRAILS SEASONAL STAFF
• PARKS DEPT SEASONAL RETAIL CLERK
• HEADLANDS SEASONAL EVENING PARK ATTENDANT
• PARAMEDIC
• MICHIGAN CERTIFIED ASSESSING OFFICER (MCAO)
• ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
• MECHANICAL INSPECTOR

Updates on the investigation by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) following the recent detection of PFAS in a water sample of a private residence in Pellston can be found at here. More information about PFAS can be found on the state attorney general website and also on the website of the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.

Emmet County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Monday, March 30, for the specific purpose of approving a new contract which resulted in the word “acting” being removed from the current job title of Michael Reaves, making him the new County Administrator. Read the full story and learn more about the new administrator here.

CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS: Advisory Committee on Aging (1 opening), Community Corrections Board (2 openings), Construction Resource Committee (1 opening, Plumbing Contractor); Land Bank Authority (1 opening); and NMRE – Northern Michigan Regional Entity (1 opening)
    Emmet County is committed to excellence in its delivery of services to its residents and visitors. To help us maintain and improve upon this mission, we reach out to leaders in business and industry, to community leaders, and to county residents by inviting you to consider serving on one of the various Committees or Boards that have been established in Emmet County.
    Positions become available periodically and the Board of Commissioners appoints Committee and Board members from a pool of applicants. If you are interested in applying, a complete list of the Committees and Boards along with the necessary application can be located by clicking here. All applications will be kept on file for two years.
    Inquiries should be directed to Emmet County Clerk's Office at (231) 348-1744 or 200 Division St., Petoskey, MI 49770.

Emmet County government frequently has vehicles, lawn and miscellaneous power equipment, tools, furniture and other items which are no longer in use by county departments, but may still have value. Those items are now being put up for sale and listed at Biddergy.com, a worldwide online auction company based in Michigan. Click here to view items listed by Emmet County.