The conference room at the Delta County Service Center in Escanaba was packed with community members waiting to comment on agenda items during the Delta County Board's reorganizational meeting Tuesday. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

ESCANABA — The Delta County Board took several votes to retain John Malnar as chair and elected a new vice-chair, Patrick Johnson, at its organizational meeting Tuesday.

Commissioners opened the meeting with nominations for board chair. Commissioners Kelli van Ginhoven, Matthew Jensen and Christine Williams each nominated themselves, while Johnson nominated Malnar to serve another term.

“Well, we don’t have a majority. I’ve never had this happen before,” County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki said after the first round of voting.

It took three rounds before the board elected Malnar by a 3-2 vote.

Malnar then nominated Johnson for vice chair before van Ginhoven nominated Williams. Johnson was elected after one round in a 3-2 vote to succeed previous vice chair van Ginhoven.

After adopting the board’s rules and procedures, commissioners had a lengthy discussion on 2026 board assignments. The debate focused largely on whether the board chair should have the authority to appoint commissioners to certain committee assignments.

Ultimately, the 2026 board assignments remain unchanged from 2025:

— Administrative Services Department: van Ginhoven, chair; Johnson, vice chair;

— Budget and Finance Department: Williams, chair; Jensen, vice chair;

— Public Safety and Judicial Services Department: Malnar, chair; van Ginhoven, vice chair;

— Physical and Economic Resources Development Department: Jensen, chair; Williams, vice chair; and

— Human Development Service Department: Johnson, chair; Malnar, vice chair.

This marks the first time department chairs and vice chairs have been appointed, though the board’s rules of procedure specify that the board chair is responsible for making these appointments. In previous years, the board appointed department liaisons instead.

Commissioners then opened a public hearing on the county’s five-year recreation plan, during which several residents voiced concerns it did not adequately address public access to waterways and boat launches on the Garden Peninsula.

The county’s five-year recreation plan ensures qualification for annual Michigan Department of Natural Resources funding opportunities.

The plan, which can be read on the county’s website, details the community’s demographics; landscape features, such as soil and vegetation; Delta County Parks and Recreation administrative structure; and more.

Jeff Molepske, president of the Fairport Sport Fishing Association, was first to address commissioners on the topic.

“It would help our businesses out there on that side of the county,” Molepske said. “There are five boat launches on Big Bay de Noc — if you could call them boat launches. Every boat launch has been extremely neglected throughout the years, and to get a decent-sized boat (into the water) with lake levels these days, no matter what your use of the lake and resource is, is just about impossible.”

“It’s not just access for fishermen; it’s access for all recreational water sports activities and things of that nature,” said Dylan Holzenkamp, vice president of the Fairport Sport Fishing Association. “There is not one priority project to add public access to waterways — not one. That is an area that can greatly benefit for it.”

During the public hearing, Delta County Parks Manager Heather LeDuc recognized the Parks and Recreation members and their work.

“I believe that you, and the commissioners that aren’t here, really tried to capture the interests and suggestions of all the public,” LeDuc said. “Maybe we have more work to do, but we have a really great start. I think we’re getting to where we can actually start to make changes, and I can assure you that as the parks manager, I am listening.”

In other business, the board:

— Accepted Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Beth Wickwire’s resignation, which took effect Dec. 31. In a letter addressed to commissioners, Wickwire noted she will be relocating in the near future. The board will pursue filling the position.

— Accepted the 2026 contract from DavisWanic Land Surveyors, P.C., a full-service land survey firm, for Delta County’s remonumentation, which consists of perpetual maintenance to the county’s markers on surveyed areas of land. DavisWanic Land Surveyors also serves Alger, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee and Schoolcraft counties.

The next Delta County Board meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 20.