2011 Board of Commissioners

Left to right standing: Ken Hubbard, Jeff Kowalski, Mark Hall, Rich Fortier, Gerald Fournier & Tom Mullaney. Sitting: Laura L. Ellery, Bonnie Friedrichs, Cam
Habermehl, Lyle VanWormer & Tammy Sumerix-Bates,.

ALPENA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DUTIES

County commissioners are elected officials who oversee county activities and work to ensure thatcitizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations runsmoothly.

County commissioners spend a lot of time working with and representing people. They attend regular meetings of the county board as well as meetings of board sub-committees and county-related boards and commissions. They represent county concerns before local, state and national boards and commissions, including school boards, city councils, township boards, and state and federal offices. County commissioners work with constituents and respondto constituent concerns.

While no minimum education or prior experience is required for becoming a county commissioner, individual backgrounds and personalities can enhance the effectiveness of county commissioners. Useful experiences include having operateda business; service on a township, school board or city council; involvement in community activities; and management experience. Personal traits that can benefit county commissioners include a sense of humor, an open mind, a vision of where county government should go, an ability to compromise, and an ability to delegate. Effective communication and negotiation skills are also important, since county commissioners spend a lot of time communicating and negotiating.

Commissioners’ terms are two years. Newly elected commissioners take office the first Monday in January following their election.