EMMET COUNTY NEWS

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.

Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin has provided an update on the status of operations in the Sheriff's Office. Read the news release here.

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, at 3 p.m. until at least April 13, 2020. Read the news release about the county building and courthouse closing here.

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. Please check back here soon for more specific information related to Emmet County government operations and any changes in effect to normal county services.

The Emmet County Department of Public Works is requesting proposals from qualified electricians to complete the electrical work required for the recycling center's MRF upgrades. Machinex is the general contractor for this project, and the company who put the specs together for this RFP. PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND PUBLIC BID OPENING: April 6, 2020 at 1:00 PM EST in the Administrator’s Conference Room. (This RFP due date has been postponed until Thursday, April 16, 2020, though subject to change should restrictions continue due to the COVID-19 outbreak) Please refer to the RFP for all the details.

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.

The Emmet County Historical Commission is once again holding its annual essay contest, which is open to any third or fourth grade student in Emmet County, including home-schooled children. Contestants may write about any topic that involves Emmet County history. Click here to learn all the details.

For several weeks in the early summer of 2020, visitors to Camp Petosega will have to travel to the campground only from Pickerel Lake Road. Emmet County Road Commission has plans to replace the culverts on Banwell Road over Berry Creek, just north of Camp Petosega Road. Though the exact dates are not yet known, removal of the culverts and bridge installation is expected to take approximately four weeks, with the construction likely to begin in late June or early July, depending on weather. Emmet County residents visiting Camp Petosega will need to use Pickerel Lake Road as traveling to the park from the north will be restricted during the bridge work. Please click on this notice for more information including a map showing where the construction will take place.

Emmet County has the following positions open:
• DEPUTY SHERIFF
• MICHIGAN CERTIFIED ASSESSING OFFICER (MCAO)
• MECHANICAL INSPECTOR

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.

CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS: Advisory Committee on Aging (1 opening), Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (1 opening), Community Corrections Board (2 openings), Construction Board of Appeals (7 openings), Construction Resource Committee (1 opening, Plumbing Contractor)
    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.