On the agenda: Mackinac County October 8, 2026 – Committee of the Whole Minutes — data center (Oct 8)

MACKINAC COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
Thursday October 8, 2026

The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners held a Committee of the Whole meeting
on Thursday October 8, 2026 in the Annex Boardroom, 100 S. Marley Street, St.
Ignace, Michigan.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Patrick at 4:30pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America was recited.

Roll Call: Austin Kimberling, John Kling, Mike Patrick, Judy St. Louis-Scott. Absent:
Daryl Schroeder.

Agenda Approval:
It was moved by Kling second by Commissioner Kimberling to approve the agenda as
presented. VVMC

Elected/Staff Reports:
Sheriff Ed Wilk — requesting a budget amendment for the $50,000 MMRMA grant that
was received for body cameras.

E911/Emergency Manager Bryce Tracy — the Hazard Mitigation Survey is due at the
end of the year. Recently held a training exercise in the Straits with First Responders
and thank you to Arnold Line and Sheplers Ferry for helping.

Court Administrator Christine Bawol — new Probate Judge Amber Libby was
appointed and her investiture will be Friday October 9 at 4:00pm. She will be at the
next meeting to introduce herself.

Treasurer Tina Massey - the DNR has not paid the County yet for the Manistique
Lake Dam costs. Still waiting on that reimbursement.

MSU Extension Erin Daines - MSU Educator Miranda Fletcher has been working
very hard to get volunteers and is doing very well. There currently is a MSU Extension
employment position open in Schoolcraft County.

Public Comment:
None

Unfinished Business:

Brownfield Authority had a special meeting with developer Mac McClelland and
Attorney. The Attorney is making sure the County will be protected in this project. It’s
moving along well and ground breaking could happen as soon as February 2027.

Commissioner Kimberling - recently attended a meeting with MDOT; they are
making plans on expanding US-2 in the St. Ignace corridor to make it safer. E911
Manager Bryce Tracy also said the driveways along that stretch might be combined to
minimize traffic and reduce accidents. Flashing lights are being looked at for
installation as well.

New Business:

Planning Commission Chair Jim Keighley - Discussed County zoning, Capital
Improvement Plan, and the Master Plan; these are the Planning Commissions goals to
accomplish. There is grant funding available to update the CIP and the MP. They will
take a lot of time and work; and are considering hiring a consultant to guide and
organize them thru the process. The Planning Commission would like to request
$25,000 to cover the costs of hiring a consultant. This is something we can add to the
2027 budget. Last thing is proposing a zoning ordinance to limit data centers in the
County. Commissioner Kimberling said he would look into this and report back to the
rest of the members.

There was discussion on the 2027 proposed budget and cutting back on spending.
Inflation should be slowing down soon. In the new Capital Improvement Plan there will
be the purchase of new Sheriff vehicles; instead of buying 12 cars at once only getting
a few cars a year.

The airport still owes the general fund for the payment of the fuel credit card system
when that was installed. This needs to be looked at and a plan set in place for
repayment.

Commissioner Kling spoke on the easement that the County granted to the SSM Tribe
in 2025. The Tribe is not following the stipulations of the easement by dumping dirt
and waste water onto airport property and that is against FAA guidelines. There was a
meeting with Airport Manager Paul Fullerton and the Tribe. Paul is waiting to hear
back from the Tribe on why they are not following the Easement agreement.

Additional Board Member Business:
None

Public Comment:
None

Communications:
September Animal Shelter report.

Adjournment: It was moved by Commissioner Kimberling second by Commissioner
Kling to adjourn the meeting at 5:16pm.

Hillary Vowell
County Clerk