EMMET COUNTY NEWS

    The Emmet County Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, August 10, at 6 p.m. using Zoom, a virtual meeting platform. (Note: This meeting was originally posted to the calendar with the location listed as the Emmet County Building commissioners' board room but was changed due to restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.) Please visit the BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS section to view the current agenda (when available) and archived meeting minutes.
   Zoom Meeting Link:  Emmet County Board of Commissioners Committe of the Whole Meeting
   Date/Time:  Monday, August 10, at 6 p.m.
   Meeting ID:  894 6962 7296
   Passcode:  903674
   Phone number:  1-312-626-6799

Unofficial results for the August 4, 2020 State Primary Election are available below as PDF files.
    • Unofficial Results - Ballot Proposals
    • Unofficial Results - Federal, State and County races
    • Unofficial Results - Township races
    • Unofficial Results - Delegates to Party Conventions
    • Unofficial Results - Election Summary (showing all results in one file)
    • Unofficial Results - Precinct Report (showing results by township precincts)

Emmet County is seeking proposals for construction services at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park for improvements to walkways and shoreline protection. For more information, including the request details, project manual, bidding plan set, and proposal form, go to --- https://www.emmetcounty.org/officials-departments/purchasing/open-bids-rfps/#RFQ-07282020.
QUOTATION DUE DATE AND PUBLIC BID OPENING: August 31, 2020 at 3:00 PM EST in the Board of Commissioners' Conference Room

The following is a statement issued Wednesday, July 15, from Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin:
    "On July 13, 2020, Governor Whitmer implemented Executive Order 147, which requires citizens to wear a protective face covering. I believe the Governor issued that order because she feels it was necessary to protect citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic. It has led to considerable confusion within the law enforcement agencies and the public. These are difficult times for law enforcement across the country and I feel educating and encouraging the public to take appropriate actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 will be more beneficial than strict enforcement action.
    "Effective this date, the official position of the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office if we receive calls for violation of the Executive Order 147 is to continue to educate the public on the benefits of wearing a face covering in enclosed public places and crowded outdoor spaces. We will stress that wearing a mask will slow the spread and saves lives. We will not, however, issue citations to individuals not wearing masks, but will remind people to respect a business or store’s requirements to wear a mask. Non-compliant store guests who do not leave when asked, may be prosecuted for trespassing or disorderly conduct under Michigan law.
    "Violations of businesses not requiring masks will be forwarded to the Emmet County Prosecutors Office, Health Department of Northwest Michigan and MIOSHA."

At its May 21 regular monthly meeting, the Emmet County Board of Commissioners approved the draft version of a new Emmet County Master Plan for the years 2020-2024. Commissioners requested the Master Plan, as well as the public comments from a community survey conducted in mid-2019, be available to the public for review. County officials encourage the public to review the Master Plan, read through the comments provided by local residents to our survey, and check out a detailed community vulnerability assessment that was conducted in 2019 by the Land Information Access Association to provide information aimed at improving climate resilience. Additional comments may be emailed to Tammy Doernenburg, Planning and Zoning Director.
    • EMMET COUNTY MASTER PLAN 2020-2024 (pdf)
    • PUBLIC COMMENTS TO COMMUNITY SURVEY (pdf)
    • COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT (pdf)

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.

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.

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:
    • CIRCUIT COURT ASSIGNMENT CLERK
    • PROBATE & FAMILY COURT ADMINISTRATOR/REFEREE
    • FRIEND OF THE COURT
    • BUILDING PLAN REVIEWER
    • CROOKED RIVER LOCK ATTENDANT
    • HEADLANDS SEASONAL EVENING PARK ATTENDANT
    • HEADLANDS DARK SKY PARK SEASONAL STAFF
    • PARAMEDIC
    • MECHANICAL INSPECTOR
    • CAMP PETOSEGA SEASONAL STAFF

Updates on the investigation by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) following the detection in early 2020 of PFAS in a water sample of a private residence in Pellston can be found at here. Water sampling and installation of point-of-use water filters resumed in early June, following the temporary suspension of those activities during the recent COVID-19 outbreak. 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.

CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS: Advisory Committee on Aging (1 opening), Community Corrections Board (3 openings), Construction Resource Committee (1 opening, Plumbing Contractor); 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.