News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Wednesday, Alpena County Commissioners are seen attending a Finance, Ways and Means Committee meeting in Alpena. County Administrator Jesse Osmer presented changes to the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget at the meeting.

ALPENA — The Alpena County Commissioners met on Wednesday and discussed various action items which included changes to the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget and a spending freeze for the rest of the year.

Finding Your Way Home pilot program

County Administrator Jesse Osmer highlighted recent changes that were made to the FY2026 budget which includes a Finding Your Way Home pilot program which works to connect unhoused individuals with their support systems.

According to Osmer, this pilot program will help unhoused individuals — who have come to Alpena seeking resources — return home if they are unable to do so on their own.

Osmer explained that the pilot program would work with local organizations to provide bus tickets for long-term travel and assistance in procuring local transportation for short distances while “ensuring safe and supportive connection” to the individual’s destination.

Osmer said that the hope is that this program will alleviate the homelessness issue locally so that resources and money can be spent on local individuals “while also making sure those who have support elsewhere, they can get to those and find help.”

Savings to expenditures ratio and budget

At the commissioners meeting on Oct. 30, the board adopted a new policy to adjust the percentage threshold of its savings to expenditures ratio for when layoffs in the county occur.

Prior to the proposal, the county’s savings could not dip below 24.97% of budgeted expenses before part-time employees were laid-off. Likewise, the county’s savings could not dip below 19.97% before full-time employees were laid-off.

Those numbers have changed to 25% and 20%, respectively. Therefore, if the fund balance dips below 25%, part-time and seasonal employees will be laid off; if the fund balance dips below 20%, full-time employees will be laid off.

At the Oct. 30 meeting, Osmer reported to the board that the county was above 27% of savings to operating costs.

On Wednesday, Osmer told the board that he projects that by June 2026, the county will have a 32.49% savings to expenditure ratio.

Commissioners also approved the FY2026 budget for public display. Osmer told The News the full board of commissioners will vote on the budget on Nov. 25.

Spending freeze

Commissioners made a motion to approve a spending freeze by the end of this week.

Osmer explained that the spending freeze would apply to items that are not necessary to “conduct business.” This would include spending for supplies, such as tape, staplers, pencils, et cetera.

“Obviously, if it’s something that’s a priority, or something that’s the necessity of the need to conduct business, that would be fine,” he added.

According to Osmer, in previous years, treasurers would get a “mad rush” of people trying to use up the rest of their supply budget by the end of the year. He added that the county’s auditor suggested putting a spending freeze in place to give treasurers a “little bit of a cushion” so requests are not being processed last minute.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.