HARRISVILLE — The Alcona County Board of Commissioners voted to begin an aerial imagery contract with the State of Michigan during its meeting on Wednesday.

Information Technology Director John Hartley said he came across the option to get the 2014 and 2018 aerial imagery for Alcona County.

“All we have to do is we provide them our files and the 911 address points,” he said. “There’s no cost and they give us all the imagery we want.”

Hartley said all the aerial imagery requires is the contract and a signature. He wanted to get the commissioner’s approval because it’s a good opportunity for the county. He said the images are going to occur every couple of years.

“They did one in 2014 and they will do one again in 2018,” Hartley said. “As long as timing prevails, every couple of years they’re here in our section of the state.”

Hartley said the images would be taken after the snow melts. He said there’s an option to get a picture from this year and print it out in electronic format.

Hartley said the 911 address points would be used for the U.S. Census. There is no cost to the county for signing the contract and letting the images be taken.

“It’s kind of a neat opportunity,” he said. “Hopefully we can make a little money off the extras out of this.”

The commissioners voted 4-1 for the contract with Commissioner Gary Wnuk voting against.

In other business:

∫ the board changed its first meeting in July to July 5 at 1 p.m. due to the Fourth of July holiday.

∫ the board was updated on summer activities with Michigan State University Extension from Program Coordinator Les Thomas.

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.