Eric Essenmacher

The regular meeting agenda was adopted. Key discussions included the review of correspondences, such as minutes from the Sanilac County Medical Care Facility Board and the Department of Veterans Affairs Committee meeting. The Board adopted a resolution for the Lexington Park Accessibility Plan, committing $306,868.00 in matching funds for development improvements. Committee reports were given for Personnel, Materials Management, Parks & Recreation, Pension, and Health departments. New business involved approving the payment of current claims totaling $96,055.05, approving specific 2026 budget amendments and the establishment of new accounts, approving additional general fund check payments for January 2026, authorizing the posting and filling of the Forester Park Manager position, and awarding contracts for the demolition of a home in Brown City and subsequent environmental testing for that demolition. Finally, the Sanilac Transportation's 2027 budget was approved.

The meeting involved the adoption of the agenda and correspondence review, including minutes from the Sanilac County Medical Care Facility Board and resolutions from Washtenaw County concerning voting requirements. A presentation was given regarding medical teaching manikins and simulators from Sanilac County Medical Control. Key financial actions included the approval of current claims and multiple 2026 budget amendments, alongside establishing new accounts. The Board approved the renewal language for the 9-1-1 Millage for the August 4, 2026, ballot and authorized a one-year renewal for Panic Button Software. Contracts were approved for the monumentation of fifty corners in 2026 and the Grant Writer/5-Year Recreation Plan Writer services. Bids were awarded for the purchase of mowing equipment and a compact utility tractor, and for electrical repair work at Forester Park. Agreements for 2026 database management and printing services for Townships, Cities, and Villages were approved. The Board authorized sending one Corrections Deputy to the Oakland Community College Police Academy and approved non-expiring contractual law enforcement services agreements with the Townships of Fremont and Marlette. Finally, the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Express 15-passenger van was authorized, along with the renewal ballot language for the S.A.V.E. Partnership Millage, the adoption of the Solar Permit Fee Schedule, authorization for the Transportation Director to manage the Public Transportation Manage System, and authorization for the Veterans Affairs Director to dispose of a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse.

The Board of Commission meeting commenced with prayer and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussion points included commissioner reports from various townships regarding road paving, equipment bids (such as turnout gear from a FEMA grant), moratoriums for data centers and artificial intelligence centers, municipal agreements, and property issues like blight houses. Specific actions involved the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the February 3rd meeting. A major resolution involved authorizing the submission of an application for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Development Program for accessibility improvements at Lexon Park, committing matching funds of $36,868. Pension committee discussions covered the approval of a working after retirement policy. Commissioner reports also noted personnel matters, including the appointment of an assistant airport manager in Mara Township and ongoing review of candidates for a forester park position.

The meeting commenced with the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Key administrative actions included the adoption of the agenda and approval of the minutes from the January 6th meeting. Commissioner reports covered municipal activities such as road grinding approvals, ordinance updates, approvals of land splits, contract approvals with the sheriff's department, and discussions about airport vehicle loans, water meter updates, zoning administrator appointments, and tree planting initiatives. The administrator's report detailed the upcoming animal control open house, the scheduling of a materials management meeting for local municipalities, and efforts to utilize remaining grant dollars for demolition projects, specifically assisting the city of Sandusky with parking by demoing a home. The Emergency Management Director presented the annual report, outlining the department's mission to protect life, property, and the environment through mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery processes. Accomplishments included updating emergency operation plans and hosting a successful multi-jurisdictional complex scenario exercise with over one hundred participants.

The organizational meeting included the formal calling to order, prayer, and pledge of allegiance. Key actions involved the adoption of bylaws, rules of procedure, and the 2026 meeting schedule, which is set for the first and third Tuesday of each month with an exception for April. The method for electing the chairperson was decided by a voice majority vote, resulting in the unanimous election of Commissioner John Black as the 2026 Chairman. Following this, Commissioner Roger Ballard was nominated and appointed as the Vice Chairman for 2026. The board also confirmed committee appointments, specifically reappointing Commissioner Sarkeella to the EPA committee. Commissioner reports highlighted several municipal activities, including funding approvals for street projects and equipment purchases in Marlet, grants and taxier approvals in Sunduski, road signage updates in Deckerville, zoning issues in U Marian Township related to a proposed solar project, and contract signings for sheriff services in Fremont.