Manistee County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Manistee County board approves tentative budget, 3.5% wage increases

The Manistee County Board of Commissioners approved a tentative FY 2026/27 budget and a 3.5% wage increase for non-union, court staff, and elected officials at its Aug. 18 meeting. The board also approved a $58.23 hourly wage for the Administrator/Controller, several personnel policies, and a $64,982.46 computer purchase. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Board of Commissioners actions

The board voted 7-0 to approve the tentative budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It also approved a 3.5% wage increase for non-union, court staff, and elected officials, and a $58.23 hourly wage for the Administrator/Controller. The board reclassified the Executive Assistant/Legal Assistant (Paralegal) position from grade 5 to grade 6, and approved three personnel policies: Employment of Minors, Religious Accommodation, and Smoke-Free Workplace. Each policy passed 7-0.

In other business, the board approved $2,715,418.65 in on-demand checks, bills, and payroll (6-0, Commissioner Goodman absent), and a Zoning Agreement with the Village of Onekama (6-0). It also approved a $64,982.46 computer purchase from Insight (7-0).

Policy/Personnel Committee recommendations

On Aug. 10, the Policy/Personnel Committee recommended a 3% wage increase for non-union and elected officials for FY 26-27, and approved a $58.23 increase to the Administrator/Controller contract. The committee also recommended reclassifying the Executive Assistant/Legal Assistant (Paralegal) position from grade 5 to grade 6, and approved three personnel policies: Employment of Minors, Religious Accommodation, and Smoke-Free Workplace. All recommendations were subject to full board approval, which the board granted at its Aug. 18 meeting.

Land Bank Authority

The Manistee County Land Bank Authority met Aug. 17. The agenda included reviewing responses to a request for qualifications and cost proposals for land bank consulting services, and considering selection of a consultant. The board also received finance reports showing year-to-date revenue of $1,170,527.01 and expenditures of $1,198,621.18 through July 31, 2026. Updates were provided on several properties, including Bear Lake (US-31/Lynn St), Java Lodge (development deadline Dec. 31, 2026), and 1001 Kosciusko Street, as well as blight elimination projects at 267 3rd Street, 518 1st Street, and 141 Washington Street. No decisions were recorded in the agenda; minutes have not yet been published.

Fair Commission

The Manistee County Fair Commission met Aug. 17. The agenda included approval of minutes from June 15, 2026, a fair overview presentation, and updates from the Agricultural Society, 4H Livestock Council, and Onekama Lions. Public comment was also scheduled. No decisions were recorded in the agenda; minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Brownfield Redevelopment Authority** – Aug. 27, 2:00 pm, Planning Department Conference Room. The agenda includes a policy discussion on the Local Brownfield Reimbursement Fund and a Brownfield Plan Reimbursement Agreement for Kemmer Road.
• **Planning Commission** – Aug. 27, immediately following the Brownfield meeting, at the same location. The commission will review a Dickson Township zoning amendment and a request to change an address on Snyder Road.

Manistee County Board approves library millage renewal for November ballot, $478,645 Child Care Fund budget

The Manistee County Board of Commissioners approved a library millage renewal for the November ballot and a $478,645.92 Child Care Fund Budget during its July 21 meeting, both by 5-0 votes.

Board of Commissioners — July 21

The Board approved eight items, all by unanimous 5-0 votes:

• **Library Millage Renewal** placed on the November ballot.
• **Child Care Fund Budget** of $478,645.92.
• **Jail floor repairs** — a $7,370 proposal from Leading Edge.
• **Zoning services agreements** with Onekama Township, Arcadia Township, Bear Lake Village, and Eastlake Village.
• **On-demand checks, bills, and payroll** totaling $2,261,036.92.
• **Appointments** — Sally Trisch to the Manistee County Recreation Commission; Larry Bielski to the DHHS Board.
• **Opted out** of the Public Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act (PA 152) for FY 2026/27, keeping the employee contribution at 11%.

Land Bank Authority — July 20

The Land Bank Authority's agenda included a draft purchase agreement for 1001 Kosciusko Street and blight elimination progress updates for three properties: 267 3rd Street, 518 1st Street, and 141 Washington Street.

The body was also scheduled to review expiring contracts with Fishbeck consulting, a Manistee County independent contractor, and a Manistee County service agreement. Financial reports on the agenda included the Revenue & Expenditure and Trial Balance reports as of June 30, 2026. Discussion items covered a Bear Lake property at US-31/Lynn St and Java Lodge progress.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Fair Commission — July 20

The Fair Commission agenda listed updates on the fair and several community groups: the Agricultural Society, 4H Livestock Council, and Onekama Lions. Minutes are not yet published.

Planning Commission — July 23

The County Planning Commission agenda included approval of June 25, 2026 minutes, a Planning Department staff update, a report on meetings and trainings attended by commission members, and review of the Dickson Township Master Plan amendment. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Recreation Commission** — Monday, Aug. 3 at 6:15 PM at the Planning Building in Manistee. The agenda lists only procedural and Open Meetings Act compliance items, with no substantive decisions scheduled.

Manistee County boards review blight demolition, personnel policies, and 911 grievance

Manistee County's advisory boards and commissions met over the past two weeks to weigh blight elimination contracts, internal personnel policies, and a pending 911 Board grievance. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, only agenda items can be reported — no votes or final decisions are confirmed in the public record at this time.

Land Bank Authority — 267 Third St. demolition bids

On July 7, the Land Bank Authority was scheduled to review bids for asbestos abatement and demolition of a commercial structure at 267 Third Street, Manistee (parcel 51-572-703-09). The agenda indicated a contract could be awarded at the meeting. The project is funded by a state blight elimination grant and carries a completion deadline of August 21, 2026; missing that deadline risks loss of grant funding.

Work would include removal of asbestos, PCB-containing floor tiles, universal waste, and full demolition with site restoration. Contractors must submit separate NESHAP 10-day notices for abatement and demolition. The agenda notes that Davis-Bacon wage requirements do not apply to this federally funded project.

Policy/Personnel Committee — employee policies reviewed

On July 13, the Policy/Personnel Committee was set to discuss several personnel matters, including a classification analysis for the Executive Assistant/Legal Assistant (Paralegal) position. The agenda also listed an Employment of Minors Policy, a Religious Accommodation Policy, a Smoke-Free Workplace Policy, and a Contingency Funds Policy for Fund 216 with a $10,000 cap per department. Members were also scheduled to review the Aggregate Insurance discussion and a PA 152 recommendation.

No vote tallies or outcomes are available; minutes have not been published.

Manistee 911 Board — grievance and finances

The Manistee County 911 Board met July 15 with a largely procedural agenda. All four standing committees — Executive, Finance, Personnel/Policy, and Technology — did not meet since the previous board meeting. Under old business, the board was scheduled to consider grievance G25-21.

The agenda included approval of June 17, 2026 meeting minutes, a treasurer's report with the June 2026 check register and profit/loss versus budget statements, and payment of bills. The agenda references payment of bills for November, a discrepancy from the meeting month that is noted as written. The director's report was to include a project update.

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority — Kemmer Road plan

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority met July 16. A separate procedural notice for that date contained no specific items. The substantive agenda called for a recommendation on the Kemmer Road BRA Plan to the Board of Commissioners, review of the Fishbeck compensation schedule, review of bylaws, and a policy discussion on the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund (LBRF).

Coming up

• **July 20 — Land Bank Authority:** Draft purchase agreement for 1001 Kosciusko Street; blight elimination progress updates for 267 3rd Street, 518 1st Street, and 141 Washington Street; review of expiring contracts with Fishbeck and other service providers; and discussion of the Bear Lake property (US-31/Lynn St) and Java Lodge progress.

• **July 21 — Board of Commissioners:** Consideration of appointments for Sally Trisch to the Recreation Commission and Larry Bielski to the Department of Health and Human Services Board; appropriations of $13,392.42 for District Health Dept. #10 and $21,299.59 for Centra Wellness Network; a report from the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan; and notice of a Budget Study Session on August 7, 2026.

• **July 23 — Planning Commission:** Review of the Dickson Township Master Plan amendment, approval of June 25, 2026 minutes, a Planning Department staff update, and reports on meetings and trainings attended by commission members.