EMMET COUNTY NEWS

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:
    • BUILDING PLAN REVIEWER
    • CAMP PETOSEGA SEASONAL STAFF
    • HEADLANDS DARK SKY PARK SEASONAL STAFF
    • HEADLANDS SEASONAL EVENING PARK ATTENDANT
    • PARAMEDIC
    • MECHANICAL INSPECTOR

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.