Chippewa County board approves generator repairs, shelter upgrades, PFAS litigation partnership and other finance items

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 13 approved a series of finance and contracting actions recommended by its standing committees, authorizing repairs, equipment purchases, service agreements and a legal services pact tied to PFAS contamination claims.

The board ratified payments to Wolverine Power Systems to cover a leased temporary generator (estimated $2,760), immediate repairs ($5,493) and a planned radiator replacement ($14,920.55) after courthouse and county-building power issues were reported to the Building, Grounds and Jail committee. Commissioner Scott Shackleton said the temporary unit kept operations online while maintenance evaluated whether a replacement Generac or an RFQ would be needed.

The Finance Committee approved several health and public-safety items that the board endorsed by voice vote: a one-year renewal of the Rave emergency notification system for $4,280 and authorization of up to $7,200 for an EMT instructor course to support county EMS training needs. The board also approved a $16.45 hourly wage for a new part-time Federal Inmate Liaison Officer to assist jail administration with processing federal detainees.

Animal Shelter officials received authorization to purchase surgical-suite equipment (estimated $12,175 plus $2,550 for additional items as they become available) and a Nine Unit Cat Stax enclosure for $4,570 from millage funds; the county waived standard purchasing policy to expedite those purchases. The board also approved a two-year supplemental animal control services contract with the City of Sault Ste. Marie at $1,300 per month.

In court-related approvals, commissioners authorized a one-year maintenance and support agreement for the 91st District Court’s JAVS recording system at $6,110 (budgeted for FY2025). The board corrected previous minutes and accepted a Survey and Remonumentation Grant totaling $133,816 ($118,816 state grant plus $15,000 county match) and authorized contracts for program administration ($19,087.79), two monumentation contracts ($54,000 each) and peer-review surveyor agreements not to exceed $5,000.

Administrators also presented and the board approved a discharge of a non-diminishing mortgage on behalf of the estate of Steven P. and Katherine M. Neubecker for $8,283 to clear title for sale, and the Probate budget received a $5,000 emergency guardianship services line item to cover temporary contracts for cases the court estimates require funding.

One high-profile authorization approved by the committee and reflected in the Finance minutes was a Legal Services Agreement with Smith & Johnson that makes the county a co-plaintiff alongside the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation in multidistrict litigation over PFAS allegedly linked to Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used at Kincheloe Air Force Base. Administrator Kelly Church presented the recommendation; the board approved moving forward with the legal agreement.

Finance recommended and the board approved the January claims and payroll totals: general claims $324,865.28; other fund claims $1,623,089.01; payroll $633,503.42; Health Department claims $1,209,299.20; Health payroll $142,009.08 — total claims $3,932,765.99.

The board approved the items by voice vote unless otherwise noted; the retirement resolutions adopted earlier in the meeting were passed by roll-call vote with all five commissioners voting aye.

Next steps: administrators and department heads will execute the approved contracts, proceed with equipment purchases through millage funds where authorized, and coordinate the county’s participation with Smith & Johnson on PFAS litigation.