Keweenaw County may scrap its zoning department to pay for a sheriff's deputy, and more than 100 residents showed up Monday, Sept. 14, to weigh in.

The crowd filled the Horizons Alternative High School gymnasium in Mohawk for a public hearing reported by WLUC on whether the county should keep or eliminate its zoning department. The Keweenaw County Board made no decision. The board is scheduled to choose a date for a final vote at its regular meeting Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m.

The budget crunch traces to federal pandemic relief money running out. Keweenaw County Treasurer Eric Hermanson told the board at an Aug. 19 meeting that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds used to hire a deputy are drying up, making current spending levels impossible in 2027. Zoning revenues, he said, did not come in as expected.

Hermanson said in August that the county had intended to "fix zoning once and for all" and generate revenue to offset expenses. "That didn't play out," he said. "I think some of the revenues aren't repeatable."

Board Chair Don Piche said in an Aug. 20 phone interview with WLUC that the county cannot afford both zoning and another deputy. He said he doubted townships would help fund zoning, noting the county had asked township supervisors for financial support twice and received no response.

At the Sept. 14 hearing, residents who wanted to keep zoning pitched ways to cut costs. Lac La Belle resident Erik Campbell called for clearly defined priorities that would limit what the zoning administrator handles while preserving enough budget for the sheriff's office.

Keweenaw County resident John Kern urged the board to tap tourism dollars. He said the county should work with townships to create short-term rental licensing fees.

"Recognize that the tourist economy is a giant, untapped revenue source," Kern said.

On the other side, Allouez Township Supervisor Mark Aho argued it was time to end county-wide zoning. He pointed to the Michigan Joint Municipal Planning Act, a state law that lets two or more townships share a planning commission and zoning ordinance. Under that framework, townships that want zoning could keep it, and those that do not could opt out.

One Mohawk resident put the property-rights argument in personal terms, saying a neighbor should not be able to shut down someone's hobby farm with chickens and roosters. The resident argued that one blanket zoning plan should not cover the entire county.

Commissioner Mike LaMotte suggested at the Aug. 19 board meeting that the county explore a bed tax with township supervisors as a way to fund public safety. Piche was skeptical, but similar revenue ideas came up again at the Sept. 14 hearing.

The board's Wednesday meeting will determine when the final vote happens. Residents can attend the regular board meeting at 6:30 p.m.