Chippewa County Sheriff Mike Bitnar will retire Jan. 2, 2027, and a three-member appointment committee is now accepting applications to fill the vacancy.

Bitnar announced his retirement on the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Facebook page on July 24. He has served 35 years in law enforcement, the last decade as sheriff. The county clerk's office posted the formal vacancy notice on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Under state law, the vacancy will be filled by a statutory appointment committee, not a special election. The committee consists of Probate Judge Eric Blubaugh, Chippewa County Clerk Steven Woodgate and Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Stratton.

Applications are due by 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, and can be mailed to Woodgate at 319 Court St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or emailed to [email protected]. Applicants must submit a letter of interest, a current resume, a summary of relevant law enforcement and leadership experience, and any additional materials they want the committee to consider.

The committee has scheduled a special open meeting for noon Thursday, Nov. 12, in the 91st District Courtroom on the second floor of the Chippewa County Building, 325 Court St., Sault Ste. Marie. The agenda includes public comment, review of applications, possible interviews and consideration of an appointment. Under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, any interviews for the appointment must be conducted in open session.

The county notice says the appointed sheriff will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualified. The exact length of the appointment will be determined under Michigan election law.

Bitnar graduated from Lake Superior State University in 1991 with a criminal justice degree and joined the sheriff's office that same year. During his tenure as sheriff, he created the Victim Services Unit (VSU) and the Law Enforcement Autism Awareness Program (LEAAP), according to the Soo Leader.

"I am leaving knowing that I am leaving the office in great hands," Bitnar told the Soo Leader in a Sept. 8 interview. "If I didn't have that, I wouldn't retire. I would go a couple more years."

Bitnar has recommended that Undersheriff Ryan Hering, who has been with the office since 2010, be appointed as his successor, according to the Soo Leader.

No applications have been publicly announced as of Oct. 2. The committee's Nov. 12 meeting is the next scheduled step in the process.