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Votes at a glance: Houghton County Board approves dispatch agreement, fair support, appropriations and appointments
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Summary
At its Aug. 15 meeting the Houghton County Board approved a regional dispatch contract, joined PFAS litigation, reauthorized an Airpark lot sale, paid prior fair insurance and committed $10,000 for 2024, approved appropriation and travel items, and appointed Jaikob Djerf as Equalization Director; most votes were unanimous.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners recorded the following formal actions and votes on Aug. 15, 2023. Where the meeting record lists board votes, tallies are noted.
1) Approval of bills: The board approved payment of submitted bills totaling $4,195,190.72 (motion moved by Commissioner Britz; yes: Britz, Janssen, Tikkanen, Keranen, Anderson; no: none).
2) MSP/Negaunee Regional Dispatch Agreement: Approved. Sheriff Joshua Saaranen described a new October agreement totaling $175,191; funding to be split into two payments from the 911 Advisory Board Fund. Vote: unanimous (Anderson, Britz, Tikkanen, Keranen, Janssen).
3) Airport Lot 21 — Resolution #23-15: Approved. Board reauthorized combined sale of portions of Lot 21 to Copper Island Academy Real Estate, LLC for an additional $5,000 and authorized the chairman to sign closing documents. Vote: unanimous.
4) PFAS Legal Services Agreement and joining lawsuit: Approved. The board voted 5–0 to join the PFAS legal action and approve the presented agreement; the transcript does not specify defendants or fee terms.
5) MSUE MOA FY23/24: The board approved funding for MSUE in the amount of $45,000 for FY23/24 after staff said Paul Putnam requested $45,500; vote 5–0.
6) Houghton County Fair support and budget amendment: The board approved payment of the FY23 insurance for the Houghton County Fair and discussed a $12,188 budget amendment; the board also approved a $10,000 allocation for 2024 and agreed the event will continue to be called "Houghton County Fair." Motions carried unanimously.
7) Equalization Director appointment: The board permanently appointed Jaikob Djerf as Equalization Director by voice vote (ayes 5, nays 0).
8) MAC Conference authorization: The board authorized Administrator Larson, Clerk Jennifer Kelly and the commissioners to attend the MAC conference in Kalamazoo Oct. 1–3, 2023 (voice vote 5–0).
9) Travel authorizations: Approved travel for Jennifer Kelly (MARD Conference, $1,500), FOC Fall Conference ($3,000) and LeAnn Pulda (MECRA, $1,078); voice votes carried.
10) Appropriations (A–E): Approved: a) MAC county dues $5,343.64; b) NorthCare 3rd quarter payment $34,996.50; c) Karhu Cyber $9,065.24; d) TK Elevator ARP payment $60,307.17 (noted elevator shutdown 7–10 days in Sept/Oct); e) WUPPDR 4th quarter $2,974.25. Individual motions carried with unanimous support as recorded.
11) Adjournment: The board adjourned at 5:20 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner Keranen and second by Commissioner Anderson (voice vote ayes 5, nays 0).
Where available, the meeting record shows voice or roll-call votes and unanimous approval on the listed items. Several items (PFAS litigation agreement, fair insurance support, airport resolution) had public comment or staff explanation recorded in the minutes; follow-up items (contract details for PFAS agreement, recording of the lot deed) were noted as next steps.