Former county commissioner Melinda Lautner has applied to fill vacancy created in March with the resignation of Tim O’Non, drain commissioner.
The deadline to file as a candidate was Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Drain commissioners in Michigan (often called Water Resources Commissioners) are elected county-level officials responsible for managing stormwater, flood protection, and soil erosion under the Michigan Drain Code of 1956. They maintain county drains, creeks, and ditches, and have the unique authority to levy special assessments for drain projects without a public vote.
O’Non was elected drain commissioner in November 2024. However, he resigned last month, citing time conflicts with his main occupation as a surveyor.
Persons in some of the affected neighborhoods are unaware of drainage issues on their property before its purchase, according to former county administrator Chet Janik, who was appointed drain commissioner on an interim basis last month.
Janik appeared before the Board of Commissioners at their April 14 executive session and provided an update on the situation.
“Over the last two days, I’ve had 14 calls (from homeowners) seeking answers,” Janik said. “They’re frustrated over the water situation.”
Nearly four inches of rain fell over a three-day period last week. There was water, water everywhere — particularly in those areas susceptible to flooding.
Janik recommended goals for the incoming drain commissioner to: communicate with people; build partnerships (with township, county Road Commission, and property owners.)
He is also carefully monitoring calls from the public, with the goal to respond to them within one day of the call.
Michigan drain law sets out the processes used to create structures to improve the flow of water. For years, there was little need to create drainage district locally. However, more concentrated development has taken place throughout the peninsula creating the need to control water movement.
The part-time position pays $21,890 annually. The remainder of the unexpired term will be filled in the November election, Clerk Michelle Crocker said.
Lautner, a Republican, has put her hat in the ring as a candidate for the remainder of O’Non’s term which expires Dec. 31, 2028.
