Votes at a glance: Chippewa County Board adopts ferry resolution and approves multiple county agreements

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. — The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 19, 2024, recorded multiple actions: the board unanimously adopted Resolution 2024-33 supporting state funding for YUPTA ferry operations for Neebish Island, and commissioners approved several county administrative and finance items during a standing committee report.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2024-33 (support state funding earmarks for YUPTA): Passed, roll-call vote 5-0 (Commissioners Nepper, Lorenz, Savoy, Trainor and Chairman Martin voted yes). The resolution will be forwarded to state legislators for consideration; no appropriation was specified in the county record.

- Resolution (Penwind Industries, LLC waste-to-renewable project): Passed, roll-call recorded as yes on passage (5-0). The vote appears in the county packet (page 36).

- Resolution 2024-37 (support local control and claim of appeal against Michigan Public Service Commission): Passed, roll-call vote 5-0. Commissioners discussed local zoning authority and concerns about utility-scale solar siting prior to the vote.

Selected finance and administrative committee actions (voice votes unless otherwise noted)

- Approved Chippewa County Health Department professional liability insurance renewal (covering Jan. 1, 2025–Jan. 1, 2026). - Authorized purchase of Dutch (public-health software) using the Public Health Infrastructure grant plus annual support. - Authorized disposal (to scrapyard) of three sheriff’s office vehicles (Chrysler, Ford, Chevrolet). - Approved $37,100 from fund 232 to cover the 2025 recruit sponsorship grant difference for sheriff’s office recruitment. - Approved Motorola Solutions Central Dispatch service agreement (three-year agreement) for emergency dispatch. - Confirmed returned Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency County Veterans Service Fund amount of $5,856.84 to the state for grant requirements. - Authorized District Court first amendment to the Chippewa County Mental Health Court contract. - Authorized out-of-state travel for an information-systems employee to attend a cybersecurity incident response course in Texas (estimated mileage $30.15; other costs covered). - Accepted completion report for Survey and Remonumentation grant year 2024. - Approved renewal and contribution breakdown for FY2025 property and liability insurance (net asset distribution returned to county’s loss fund as presented). - Designated MetLife as the new carrier for short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance effective Jan. 1, 2025. - Approved two service agreements with Forensic Fluids for the 50th Circuit Drug Court and medical examiner services. - Authorized a parking-enforcement agreement between the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Chippewa County for the Bingham Avenue parking lot (weekday coverage details in packet). - Approved replacement of textured rubber tiles for six courthouse stairwells, not to exceed $5,100.62. - Recommended approval of November county and health department claims and payroll, and approved year-end budget amendments including a $500,000 MERS payment from the general fund to cover unfunded liabilities. - Approved an MBAA grant amendment to include two cell phones and one laptop.

Several items were described as carried on voice votes with no roll-call recorded in the meeting transcript; where roll-call votes occurred the transcript records the commissioners’ names and a 5-0 tally.

The meeting’s finance and committee report contains itemized motions and supporting documentation in the county packet; the committee met Dec. 17, 2024, to review many of the items the board later approved.