News File Photo by Crystal Nelson Alpena County Commissioner Marty Thomson visits with other members of the county’s Parks Committee in this March 2021 file photo.

ALPENA — The Alpena County Board of Commissioners is considering hiring a county coordinator to help run day-to-day operations at the county and craft a plan for its future.

At a special meeting Wednesday, the commissioners received a presentation by John Amrhein, who is the public policy educator for Michigan State Extension, who explained the duties and responsibilities of an administrator.

The move comes as the county Executive Manager Tammy Bates is slated to retire in the coming months and the county battles less than ideal financial conditions.

Commissioner Marty Thomson said having a person to replace is critical, and adding someone that can play a larger role moving forward could help the county long-term.

“I think we are big enough and complicated enough now to do this,” Thomson said. “There are so many hours put in by the commissioners for meetings that I think things are being missed or overlooked.”

Commissioner Bob Adrian said a new administrator could help create long-term goals and objectives for budgetary purposes as well as future plans for the county’s facilities and infrastructure. It could also handle union negotiations, which is currently done by the board and Bates.

Commissioner Bill Peterson said hiring a person with some knowledge of the Alpena area is critical, and the cost could be between $130,000 and $140,000 including benefits.

It has been years since the county has had an administrator as a brunt of the work has fallen on the board itself.

The board didn’t take any action on the issue, but more discussion is expected to take place soon.